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The  advices  and  meditations 


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THE  ^?0^  ^'''^ 

AWWWM^  (      f^EB  24 1912  ^ 

AND        ^^<iLpm^  ^ 

J3T  THE  LATE 

WILLIAM  HASLETT,  ESQUIRE  5 

CONSISTING   OF 

I.  An  Address  to  the  clergy  and  christians 

OP  ALL  denominations,    WITH    SOME    DISCRIMI- 
NATIVE MARKS  OF  GRACE. 

II.  A  Practical  Essay  on  the  influences  op 
THE  Holy  Spirit. 

III.  Serious    Hints   to   loud   and    alarming 

PREACHERS  OF  THE  GOSPEL,  AND  THE  REGULAR 
AND  ORDERLY  PROFESSORS  OF  RELIGION. 

IV.  The  Morning  and  Evening  Meditations 

OP  A  WEEK  : 

WITH  SOME  MINOR  PIECES, 
AND 

EXTRACTS  FROM  FLAVEL. 

TO  WHICH  IS  PREFIXED 

A  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE  AUTHOR. 


PRINED  FOR  ANN  M.  HASLETT, 
ON  THE  VERTICAL  PRESS,  BY  D.  &  S.  NEALL, 

No.  2,  Hartung's  Alley. 
1825. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH 

OF 

WILLIAM  HASLETT,  ESQUIRE.* 


X  HE  late  William  Haslett  was  born  at  Dunv 
nicey,  in  Ireland,  on  the  6th  of  May,  1766,  and  de- 
parted this  life  on  the  1 1th  of  July,  1821,  at  Wood- 
ville,  Mississippi.  Early  in  life  he  emigrated  to 
this  country,  which  he  adopted  as  his  own,  and  be- 
came completely  naturalized,  not  as  it  regards  civil 
privileges  only,  but  also,  as  to  his  feelings  and  at- 
tachments. 

Mr.  Haslett  was  endowed  with  a  vigorous  in- 
tellect; his  judgment  was  sound  and  discriminating, 
his  memory  retentive,  and  his  fancy  lively.  He 
had  not  indeed  the  advantages  of  a  liberal  educa- 
tion, but  his  mind  was  cultivated  and  strenglhencfl 
by  reading,  by  reflection,  and  by  an  acquaintance 
with  the  world.  In  the  transaction  of  business  he 
was  prompt,  methodical  and  decisive.  He  had  a 
strong  predilection  for  the  shipping  business;  anrl 
as  long  as  our  trade  was  unembarrassed,  his  success 
was  rapid  and  uninterrupted. 

As  an  ofBcer  of  the  church,  Mr.  Haslett  dispbiy- 
ed  no  common  talents.     He  was  independent  and 

*  Compiled  from  Mr.  Ilaslett's  papers,  and  jm  "Obituary  No- 
tjcfi"  of  liim,  published  in  the  Presbyterian  Magazine,  Vol.  I.  fo* 
Wov.  IvSU. 


4  Biographical  Sketch 

firm  in  forming  his  own  opinions,  but  respectful 
and  conciliatory  towards  those  with  whom  he  acted. 
In  all  deliberative  bodies  to  which  he  at  any  time 
belonged,  the  weight  of  his  influence  was  felt,  and 
the  benefit  of  his  counsels  perceived.  Few  laymen 
in  our  country  were  better  acquainted  with  eccle- 
siastical law;  and  none,  perhaps,  has  exhibited  more 
skill  and  address  in  the  management  of  a  perplexed 
and  difficult  cause. 

But  Mr.  Haslett  was  still  more  distinguished  by 
the  qualities  of  his  heart  than  his  head.  He  was  in 
an  eminent  degree  susceptible  of  the  emotions  of 
sincere  and  constant  friendship;  and  it  was  his  fe- 
licity, during  his  life,  to  number  in  the  list  of  his 
friends,  many  excellent  and  distinguished  persons, 
both  of  the  clergy  and  laity.  No  one  seemed  to 
set  a  higher  value  on  genuine  friendship,  or  to  re- 
lish its  pleasures  more  sensibly.  To  envy,  vanit}-. 
and  suspicion  he  seemed  to  be  a  stranger,  and  in  hi» 
intercourse  with  friends,  there  was  uniformly  ma- 
nifested such  hearty  good-will,  so  much  sincerity^ 
and  so  much  innocent  cheerfulness,  that  they  were 
always  fond  of  his  society. 

Mr.  Haslett  was  peculiarly  a  domestic  tnan.  In 
the  bosom  of  his  family  he  was  truly  at  home. — 
Blessed  with  a  numerous,  healthy,  and  promising 
family  of  children,  who,  like  olive  plants,  encircled 
his  board,  he  seemed  when  the  business  of  the  day 
was  over,  to  find  in  this  little  circle,  with  the  com- 
pany of  a  few  choice  friends,  exquisite  pleasure. 
His  attachment  to  his  family  was  evidently  strong: 
^  a  husband  he  was  affectionate,  as  a  fiUher  kind 
and  indulgent. 

The  brightest  trait  in  Mr.  Hasleft's  character, 
Iiowever,  was  his  deep  and  unaffected  piety.  He 
had  received  in  his  father's  house  a  religious  educa- 
tion, and  before  he  became  the  subject  of  efficacious 
grace  was  moral  and  amiable  in  his  deportment;  but 


Of  Willlmn  Haslelt,  Esq.  iP 

when  it  pleased  a  gracious  God  to  open  his  eyes,  his- 
conviction  of  his  sinful  and  miserable  condition  was 
<leep  and  severe.  For  some  months  he  went  mourn- 
ing under  a  sense  of  his  guilt,  with  his  head  bowed 
down  like  a  bulrush;  but  when  Christ  was  revealed, 
his  deliverance  was  sudden  and  great.  Of  his  con» 
version  to  God,  he  has  written  as  follows : 

"  Cranberry,  May  3cl,  1793, 

"Joseph  Nourse,  Esquire, 
"  Dear  Sir, 

"You  expressed  a  desire  of  having 
some  account  of  the  Lord's  dealings  with  me,  when 
I  was  disposed  to  write  on  this  subject,  but  a  diffi- 
dence of  my  ability  to  do  it  in  a  becoming  manner, 
especially,  as  self  is  so  much  concerned,  has  hither- 
to prevented  me.  However,  as  I  was  lately  reflect- 
ing upon  the  time  and  circumstances  of  our  first  ac* 
quaintance,  and  was  led  to  admire  the  goodness  of 
God  to  me  in  this  instance,  the  obligations  your 
friendship  had  laid  me  under  were  also  brought 
afresh  to  my  recollection,  and  I  felt  myself  charg- 
able  with  ingratitude  for  withholding  any  thing 
which  might  afford  you  the  least  satisfaction.  These 
reflections,  together  with  the  words  of  the  Psalm- 
ist (Psalms  66,  16)  and  the  apostle  Peter's  admoni- 
tion, (1  Peter  3,  15)  have  at  length  overcome  all 
difficulties  with  me.  May  the  blessed  Jesus,  who, 
I  trust,  has  redeemed  your  soul  and  mine  from 
eternal  misery,  guide  my  heart  and  pen  so  that  his 
name  may  be  glorified,  and  your  soul  comforted  by 
what  I  have  to  declare  of  his  goodness. 

"  My  disposition  from  my  youth,  as  far  as  I  can 
now  trace  it  was  rather  averse  than  inclined  to  the 
grosser  follies  of  the  times;  and  as  I  enjoyed  the 
advantages  of  a  religious  education  and  was  kept  un- 
der strict  family  government,  I  always  found  the 
commission  of  known  sins  attended  with  trouble  of 
conscience  to  a  greater  or  less  degree.    I  looked  up- 


6  Biographical  Sketch 

on  sin  as  an  evil  which  I  ought  to  avoid,  but  had  no 
riew  of  its  evil  nature,  nor  had  I  any  idea  of  the  cor- 
ruption of  my  heart,  and  the  necessity  of  an  entire 
change.  I  had  no  knowledge  of  the  gospel  way  of 
salvation,  but  did  all  I  did  upon  legal  principles,  and 
often  consoled  myself  with  thinking  if  it  were  not 
well  with  me,  what  would  become  of  multitudes  I 
was  acquainted  with.  I  was  early  taught  to  pray, 
and  I  prayed  frequently  in  private ;  for  I  thought 
God  was  under  obligations  to  answer  my  prayers, 
according  to  Matt.  vii.  7,  and,  I  remember  to  have 
prayed  often,  in  the  immediate  prospect  of  gratify- 
ing some  evil  propensity.  As  my  father  was  an 
Arminian,  (though  called  a  Presbyterian)  I  was 
brought  up  in  that  belief;  and  was  fully  of  opin- 
ion, that,  if  I  did  what  I  could,  God  would  pardon 
the  rest ;  for,  I  thought  it  would  be  injustice  in 
God  to  require  of  me  what  I  could  not  do.  Thus 
I  continued  until  the  nineteenth  year  of  my  age, 
when  1  conceived  a  desire  of  coming  to  this  coun- 
try. I  made  it  known  to  my  parents,  who  were 
rather  opposed  to  it,  and  advised  me  to  think  of 
getting  into  business  at  home.  At  the  same  time, 
my  father  made  application  to  a  gentleman  engaged 
in  the  linen  business,  w^ho  wanted  a  young  man  to 
assist  him.  He  agreed  to  take  me,  and  the  terms 
were  agreed  upon,  only  I  w*as  to  have  a  week 
to  consider  the  matter.  Here  I  have  frequently 
thought,  the  hand  of  Providence  was  visible  in  my 
favour;  for  almost  every  thing  concurred  to  make 
me  prefer  my  father's  proposal.  Only  one  objec- 
tion remained  with  me,  and  that  was,  that  the  place 
where  the  gentleman  lived  was  full  of  wickedness, 
and  I  thought  I  would  be  exposed  to  such  tempta- 
tions as  I  could  not  resist,  and  thereby  bring  a  re- 
proach upon  myself  and  friends.  I  therefore  deter- 
mined (with  my  parents'  consent)  to  prepare  for 
America.      Accordingly,   in   a   somewhat   feeling 


Of  William  Haslett,  Esq.  1 

manner,  I  laid  before  them  my  objections  to  what 
they  had  proposed,  upon  which  they  approved  of 
my  choice,  and  consented  to  my  proposal. 

"  From  my  arrival  in  America  to  my  settlement 
in  this  place,  my  conduct  was  much  the  same  as 
formerly,  with  this  difference,  tliat  as  I  had  more 
liberty  than  when  under  my  fatlier's  care,  I  could 
indulge  myself  in  many  things  with  mere  freedom 
than  before.  After  being  here  some  time,  I  began  to 
consider  it  my  duty  to  join  in  communion  with  the 
church  ;  accordingly  I  made  application  for  admis- 
sion at  the  approaching  sacrament,  though  with  but 
little  hope  of  success,  for  I  was  grossly  ignorant,  as 
well  of  the  nature  of  the  ordinance,  as  of  the  qua- 
lifications of  a  worthy  partaker.  However,  as  the 
minister  was  an  easy  man,  and  my  outward  conduct 
had  been  pretty  good,  I  was  readily  admitted. — 
Here  I  would  just  observe,  that  I  think  many  poor 
souls  are  fatally  deceived  by  an  untimely  admission 
to  this  ordinance,  for,  as  they  are  taken  into  the 
number^  and  partake  of  the  privileges  of  God's 
children,  they  hence  conclude  they  must  be  in  co- 
venant with  God ;  and  thus  they  get  a  peace  of  their 
own  making,  and  rest,  secure  upon  a  false  hope^ 
which  nothing  but  the  mighty  power  of  God  can 
bring  them  off.  They  say  *•  peace,  peace,  when 
there  is  no  peace."  Such,  I  believe  to  have  been 
my  condition,,  "but  God,  who  is  rich  in  mercy, 
&c.'^ 

""  But  to  return  : — As  I  had  now  made  a  public 
profession  of  religion,  (for  none  are  called  profes- 
sors of  religion  here,  but  those  who  come  to  the 
sacrament.)  I  concluded  I  had  laid  myself  under 
additional  obligations  to  live  a  holy  life,  and  there- 
fore resolved  to  abstain  from  every  thing  that  might 
injure  m}^  character  as  a  professor,  and  to  try  to  act 
as  other  ehristinns  <lid  ;  for  although  I  had  often 
found  my  resolutions  like  rotten  flax,  yet  I  always 
A  2 


8  Biographical  Sketch 

thought  the  reason  was  because  I  had  not  clone 
every  thing  I  ought  to  make  them  good,  and  there- 
fore would  do  better  under  the  like  circumstances 
again.  Thus  I  continued  for  five  years  fighting 
against  sin  with  carnal  weapons,  but  to  no  pui-pose: 
I  was,  however,  kept  from  any  gross  outbreakings 
in  the  eyes  of  the  world,  and  as  I  was  frequent  in  re- 
ligious duties  I  was  esteemed  by  many  as  a  growing 
christian,  though  I  firmly  believe  I  was  no  more 
than  a  poor  self-deceived  hypocrite.  One  thing  I 
remember  gave  me  frequent  uneasiness,  viz.  that  I 
never  had  experienced  those  preparative  works  of 
the  spirit  which  usually  introduce  faith  into  the 
souls  of  God's  children,  such  as  illumination,  con- 
viction, self  despair,  &c.  and  I  have  often  been  rea- 
dy to  look  upon  some  of  God's  children  as  mere 
egotists  for  declaring  what  God  had  done  for  their 
souls,  for  thus  saying  they  reproached  me,  and  self 
you  know  cannot  bear  to  be  touched  so  long  as  it 
keeps  the  throne  of  the  affections.  I  have  often 
thought,  when  reading  of  the  great  sin  of  unbe- 
lief, I  had  reason  to  be  thankful  that  I  had  always 
been  a  believer,  but  a  time  came  when  I  was  taught 
to  think  otherwise.  In  my  religious  exercises  I 
frequently  experienced  much  flowing  of  the  affec- 
tions, and  would  often  shed  tears  in  abundance, 
and  I  have  often  said  to  myself  upon  such  occasions, 
0  !  what  a  good  experience  is  this,  sure  I  shall  now 
be  able  to  give  a  good  account  of  the  Lord's  deal- 
in2;s  with  me  to  others.  Here  you  see  self  was 
etill  the  object  in  view.  I  would  here  just  suggest 
to  you  what  I  believe  to  have  been  a  great  mean  of 
strengthening  me  in  my  false  confidence: — You 
know  Christians  when  they  meet  are  apt  to  talk 
upon  a  variety  of  religious  subjects,  and  thereby 
edify  and  strengthen  each  other,  and  as  I  found 
myself  grossly  deficient  when  conversing  on  chris- 
tian experience,  I  set  too  with  all  ray  might  to  ac- 


Of  William  Haslett,  Esq.  9 

quire  a  greater  share  of  knowledge,  but  it  was  only 
head  knowledge  I  set  out  in  pursuit  of. — I  read  the 
experiences  of  christians,  and  tried  to  renaember 
what  I  could  of  them,  and  I  so  far  succeeded,  that 
in  a  short  time  I  could  talk  passing  well  on  experi- 
mental religion,  and  had  got  to  be  pretty  orthodox 
in  my  notions.  Thus  have  I  often  (though  not 
with  a  design  to  act  the  hypocrite,  but  through  the 
deceitfulness  of  my  own  heart  and  the  subtlety  of 
Satan)  offered  things  as  my  own  experience,  which 
I  had  only  stolen  from  the  experience  of  others,  and 
was  as  ignorant  of,  as  a  man  born  blind  is  of  colours. 
How  much  easier  is  it,  my  dear  friend,  to  talk  like 
a  christian  than  to  be  one,  and  I  believe  there  is  not 
a  grace  God  bestows  upon  his  children,  but  Satan 
has  its  counterfeit  to  pass  upon  poor  deceived  per- 
ishing souls,  therefore,  "let  him  that  thinketh  he 
standeth,  take  heed  lest  he  fall." 

"  How  common,  yet  how  awful  a  mistake  is  it  to 
think  that  a  set  of  orthodox  notions  is  not  attaina- 
ble without  the  power  of  divine  grace,  and  that  a 
bare  speculative  knowledge  of  scripture  truths,  to- 
gether with  an  external  performance  of  religious 
duties  is  all  that  is  necessary  to  constitute  us  chris- 
tians: but  as  Mr.  Boston  observes,  it  is  much  easier 
to  come  to  Christ  in  duties,  than  to  come  out  of 
duties  to  Christ : — but  to  proceed  :  I  continued  five 
years  "having  a  form  of  godliness,  but  ignorant  of 
the  power  of  it — having  a  name  to  live  whilst  dead," 
and  should  have  gone  down  to  the  pit  with  a  lie  in 
my  right  hand,  had  not  the  Lord  of  his  mere  grace 
and  mercy,  interposed — join  with  me,  my  dear  Sir, 
to  praise  Him  who  "hath  chosen  the  base  things  of 
the  world,  and  things  which  are  despised,  and  things 
which  are  not  to  bring  to  nought  things  which  are 
— who  hath  purposed  to  stain  the  pride  of  all  glory, 
and  to  bring  into  contempt  all  the  honourable  of  the 
earth." — As  my  comforts  depended  solely  on  my 


lt>  Biographical  Sketch 

frames  and  feelings,  I  was  often  led  to  question  my 
state:  for  when  my  corruptions  would  at  anytime 
break  out,  (which  they  would  frequently  do,)  I 
could  have  no  peace  until  I  had  pacified  conscience 
with  resolutions  of  amendment  ;  and  one  reason 
why  my  fears  so  easily  subsided  was,  I  thought  it 
was  a  mark  of  grace  to  doubt ;  but  now  the  time  was 
come  when  it  pleased  the  Lord  to  sweep  away  my 
false  refuges,  and  shew  me  my  true  state  and  condi- 
tion. 

"On  the  Lord's  day  after  having  attended  the 
public  worship,  I  felt  my  mind  uncommonly  gloo- 
my from  a  recollection  of  my  past  sins,  insomuch 
that  I  could  not  conceal  it  from  the  family  I  lived 
with.  I  told  some  of  them  that  I  never  had  been  led 
to  question  the  truth  of  my  religion  so  much  as  I 
then  v^as.  My  fears  increased,  and  I  felt  exceed- 
ingly uncomfortable  all  that  evening.  On  the  mor- 
row I  took  up  Edwards,  (having  often  heard  it  re- 
commended) and  the  first  place  I  opened  seemed  to 
be  exactly  suited  to  my  case.  I  read  awhile  with 
eagerness,  until  I  found  my  character  so  exactly 
described,  and  the  very  things  I  had  been  building 
upon  utterly  rejected  as  marks  of  grace. — I  could 
hold  out  no  longer.  I  saw  myself  "  weighed  in  the 
balance  and  found  wanting."  "  When  the  com- 
mandment came,  sin  revived  and  I  died.''  The 
first  thing  that  struck  me  was,  whether  I  had  not 
committed  the  unpardonable  sin,  and  I  was  much 
inclined  to  think  I  had  ;  for  those  passages  Heb.  vi. 
4,  5,  6,  X.  2G,  and  xii.  16,  17,  came  all  into  my 
mind,  and  seemed  to  confirm  me  in  that  belief  I 
now  looked  upon  myself  as  such  a  great  hypocrite 
that  all  I  said  and  did  was  abominable  in  the  sight  of 
God.  I  was  obliged  immediately  to  leave  off  all  the 
outward  duties  of  religion,  which  I  had  been  pretty 
frequent  in.  I  thought  I  had  nothing  to  look  for 
but  the  wrath  of  an  angry  God.     I  could  not  ap- 


Of  William  Haslet t,  Esq,  11 

proach  to  God  through  Christ  nor  dare  I  to  do  it  in 
any  other  way.  Thus  I  continued  for  some  days 
without  attempting  to  pray  any  other  way  than  by 
sighs  and  groans ;  sometimes  before  I  was  aware,  I 
would  break  out  in  such  expressions  as,  "What  shall 
I  do  !'' — "  0  wretched  man,"  &c. — At  length  I  pro- 
cured Mr.  RussePs  sermon  on  the  nature  of  the  sin 
against  the  Holy  Ghost,  which  gave  me  considerable 
relief;  for,  1  saw  that  although  I  had  often  sinned 
wilfully,  yet  I  never  had,  to  my  knowledge,  sinned 
maliciously  ;  I  then  attempted  to  pray  in  secret,  but 
have  often  kneeled  down  without  being  able  to  ut- 
ter a  word.  My  mind  was  darkness  itself;  and 
the  recollection  of  my  former  sins,  and  hypocrisy, 
would,  as  it  were,  shut  me  out  from  God.  I  lost  all 
relish  for  company,  and  even  for  my  necessary  food, 
and  spent  my  leisure  hours  for  the  most  part,  alone, 
bewailing  my  wretched  condition.  "  I  looked  for 
comforters  but  I  found  none."  The  woods  were 
my  chief  places  of  resort,  where  I  could  bemoan  my 
miserable  condition  unseen  by  human  eye.  I  have 
often  remained  in  the  fields  till  late  in  the  evening, 
waiting,  if  haply  the  Lord  would  meet  with  me;  but 
the  words  of  Job  were  then  applicable  to  me,  "  I  go 
"forward  but  he  is  not  there,  and  backward  but 
"  I  cannot  perceive  him.  He  hideth  himself  on  the 
"right  hand  that  I  cannot  see  him."  I  have  often 
gone  into  secret  places  with  a  ray  of  hope  that  this 
might  be  the  time  that  God  would  appear  for  me, 
and  perhaps  have  found  my  heart  harder  than  ever, 
so  that  I  have  often  mourned  my  strange  insensibi- 
lity, and  wished  in  vain  to  shed  a  tear. 

You  will,  no  doubt,  my  dear  sir,  readily  imagine 
that  I  was  anxiously  concerned  to  get  comfort ;  yet, 
I  assure  you,  I  was,  if  possible,  more  concerned  lest 
I  should  lose  my  convictions,  and  take  comfort  in 
something  short  of  Christ:  and  I  have  often  been 
grieved  to  the  heart  when  people  who  knew  not  the 


12  Biographical  Sketch 

nature  of  my  disorder,  would  prescribe  carnal  phy- 
sic for  my  sin-sick  soul.  Indeed  many  times  pro- 
fessed christians  have  given  me  pain  by  telling  me 
I  laid  the  matter  too  much  to  heart ;  for  a  great  part 
of  my  grief  was,  because  I  was  so  little  concerned  ; 
and  I  have  often  wondered  how  I  could  eat  and 
sleep  as  I  did,  when  I  was  conscious  the  wrath  of 
God  was  hanging  over  me.  I  have  often  tliought 
when  people  were  urging  me  to  believe  in  Christ, 
and  I  have  told  them  my  inability  to  do  it,  that 
they  really  thought  I  was  not  in  earnest.  And  here 
I  cannot  help  mentioning  to  you  the  absurdity  of 
asserting  (as  a  certain  class  of  people  do)  that  faith 
is  the  gift  of  God,  just  as  the  bounties  of  his  com- 
mon providence  are,  and  that  we  can  as  easily  be- 
lieve in  Christ  as  we  can  satisfy  our  hunger  when 
food  is  offered  to  our  acceptance.  I  know  I  found  it 
otherwise,  and  I  believe  but  few  were  ever  more 
desirous  of  obtaining  this  precious  grace  than  I.  I 
could  have  cheerfully  parted  with  every  temporal 
good  to  obtain  the  smallest  particle  of  it.  Indeed 
I  have  often  wished  to  be  a  beggar,  and  destitute 
of  every  earthly  comfort,  foolishly  imagining  I 
would  then  be  a  greater  object  of  God's  mercy. 
All  this  time  I  could  receive  nothing  from  the 
pulpit  but  what  was  addressed  to  sinners;  when- 
ever any  thing  was  spoken  to  believers  I  could  not 
touch  it.  I  went  once  to  Princeton  (nine  miles  dis- 
tant) to  hear  the  Revd.  John  Smith;  he  preached 
from  2  Cor.  v.  7,  "  We  walk  by  faith,  not  by  sight." 
Immediately  upon  hearing  the  text  I  concluded  the 
sermon  would  not  be  for  me,  nor  could  I  receive 
any  of  it  but  a  few  words  of  the  application.  Even 
although  I  had  always  been  fond  of  singing,  and 
frequent  in  the  practice  of  it,  I  could  now  sing  no 
more.  My  "laughter  was  turned  into  mourning 
and  my  joy  to  heaviness;"  in  tliis  condition  was  I, 
when  it  pleased  the  Lord  to  give  me  an  acquaint- 


Of  William  Haslet t,  Esq.  IS 

ance  with  you — to  make  you  a  witness  of  the  effects 
of  sin,  and  a  mean  of  encouraging  me  when  almost 
on  the  brink  of  despondency.  And  be  assured,  my 
dear  sir,  your  sympathy  with,  and  tender  concern 
for  me  in  my  comfortless  state,  are  written  on  my 
mind  in  indelible  characters.  I  continued  for  some 
months  afterwards  under  much  the  same  exercises, 
spending  my  substance  on  physicians  of  no  value, 
"and  was  nothing  better,  but  rather  grew  worse," 
for  Satan  was  incessantly  stirring  up  my  corrup- 
tions, and  I  found  myself  in  perpetual  danger  of 
being  hurried  into  some  notorious  sin,  and  then  I 
thought  the  door  of  mercy  would  be  forever  shut; 
and  indeed  in  this  he  too  far  succeeded,  for  I  think 
my  greatest  sins  were  those  I  committed  during 
that  time.  Once  I  was  reading  Mr.  Bunyan's  Grace 
abounding  to  the  chief  of  sinners,  with  considera- 
ble attention,  and  I  felt  as  in  an  instant,  a  secret 
wish  pass  through  my  mind,  that  I  had  been  as 
great  a  sinner  as  he ;  this  I  have  since  thought  to 
have  been  a  dart  thrown  by  Satan  immediately  from 
hell,  though  it  was  instantly  charged  against  me  as 
my  own  act,  and  I  smarted  severely  for  it  after- 
wards. I  often  thought  that  the  sharp  temptations 
I  felt  were  in  consequence  of  that  wish.  I  remem- 
ber once  being  so  sorely  beset  with  sinful  thoughts 
and  desires,  that  I  earnestly  besought  the  Lord 
either  to  deliver  me  from  the  power  of  sin  or  to  cut 
me  off,  and  often  at  such  times  I  have  been  twitted 
with  "have  you  got  your  wish  now?"  Thus  was 
Satan  permitted  to  buffet  me. — Sometimes  in  read- 
ing the  word  of  God,  I  have  got  encouragement  to 
think  it  might  yet  be  well  with  me,  but  unbelief 
would  immediately  reply,  "your  hopes  are  vain, 
for  none  of  God's  children  were  ever  in  your  case." 
One  morning  finding  myself  much  indisposed  for 
spiritual  exercises,  I  had  recourse  to  the  Bible,  and 
resolved  to  read  the  epistle  to  the  Romans  through, 


14  Biographical  Sketch 

though  with  little  hopes  of  success — I  read  on  with- 
out receiving  any  benefit,  to  the  last  chapter  at  the 
20th  verse,  "  And  the  God  of  peace  shall  bruise 
Satan  under  your  feet  shortly  ;"  these  words  seem- 
ed to  be  accompanied  with  some  degree  of  power 
on  my  heart,  and  produced  in  me  a  longing  desire 
for  the  accomplishment  of  them,  and  a  little  revived 
my  drooping  spirits,  but  was  soon  gone.  I  at  length 
began  to  think,  the  time  of  deliverance  I  had  been 
so  long  expecting,  would  never  come,  and  when  I 
told  some  people  the  change  I  saw  necessary  to  my 
present  peace  and  everlasting  happiness,  they  would 
give  me  to  understand  they  thought  I  was  looking 
for  what  I  should  never  meet  with. 

I  tried  every  way  in  which  I  had  heard  others 
were  converted,  vainly  thinking  the  Lord  would 
meet  with  me  in  the  same  manner,  but  to  no  pur- 
pose. And  indeed  my  wicked  heart  has  often  been 
ready  to  charge  God  with  dealing  hardly  with  me, 
though  at  oth.er  times  I  saw  myself  justly  doomed 
to  everlasting  destruction. — But  now  the  Lord's 
own  time  was  come.  He  knows  what  is  necessary 
to  bring  down  the  pride  of  our  hearts  and  make  us 
submit  to  the  righteousness  of  Christ.  As  I  had 
been  a  communicant  for  some  years,  I  found  new 
difliculties  arise  in  my  mind  on  the  approacli  of  the 
sacrament,  for  I  was  afraid  to  keep  back  from  the 
ordinance,  lest  I  should  be  deficient  in  my  duty  and 
give  occasion  to  the  adversary  to  speak  reproachful- 
ly, and  on  the  other  hand  I  was  conscious  of  not* 
being  suitably  qualified  to  be  a  worthy  partaker, 
and  therefore  afraid  I  should  only  seal  my  own  con- 
demnation. I  concluded  however  it  would  be  safest 
to  keep  back,  and  accordingly  resolved  that  unless 
the  Lord  was  pleased  to  prepare  me  by  his  grace, 
I  would  not  attempt  to  join  in  communion  at  that 
season.  The  Friday  preceding  the  sacrament  wa* 
appointed  to  be  kept  as  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer, 


Of  William  Haslctt,  Esq.  15 

preparatory  to  the  approaching  solemnity.— %rhe 
day  came,  but  to  me  it  was  a  stormy  day — a  day  of 
darkness  as  darkness  itself.  I  attempted  to  pray, 
but  found  my  heart  entirely  shut  up,  so  that  I  could 
find  no  relish  for,  nor  comfort  in  any  duty.  The 
sources  from  whence  I  had  formerly  derived  encou- 
ragement, seemed  to  be  entirely  shut  up,  and  I  seem- 
ed to  be  left  without  help  and  without  hope.  Thus  I 
continued  that  day  and  night : — on  Saturday  morn- 
ing I  took  up  Mr.  FlavePs  works,  and  in  reading 
one  of  his  sermons  I  found  my  mind  uncommonly 
engaged,  so  that  I  was  constrained  to  lay  down  the 
book  and  retire  to  my  room, — I  felt  my  heart  sen- 
sibly touched,  insomuch  that  I  shed  tears  in  abun- 
dance. I  thought  it  was  something  extraordinary, 
but  suspected  it  was  from  Satan,  (as  I  had  formerly 
been  deceived  by  the  flowing  of  the  affections,)  for  I 
thought  he  knew  I  wanted  rest  for  my  poor  weary 
soul,  and  was  now  going  to  pass  his  counterfeits 
upon  me  by  causing  me  to  rest  on  something  short 
of  Christ ;  I  therefore  earnestly  besought  the  Lord 
that  he  would  not  suffer  me  to  be  deluded  by  Satan 
— that  I  was  willing  to  wait  his  own  time  in  my 
unhappy  condition,  rather  than  take  comfort  in  any 
thing  short  of  an  union  with  Jesus.  During  this 
time  my  heart  panted  after  Christ  "as  the  hart 
panteth  for  the  water-brooks."  At  length  I  felt  my 
-^oul  escaped  as  a  bird  out  of  the  hand  of  the  fowler 
— I  had  "  a  new  song  put  in  my  mouth,  even  praise 
to  our  God ;" — then  was  "  the  prey  taken  from  the 
mighty,  and  the  lawful  captive  delivered," — I  saw 
Jesus  every  way  suited  to  my  w^ants,  and  found  in 
him  that  rest  to  my  weary  soul  which  I  had  so  long 
^ught  in  vain  elsewhere.  His  name  was  then  to  rnc 
as  ointment  poured  forth,  and  I  longed  to  see  some 
of  God's  dear  children  that  we  might  join  to  praise 
him.  The  relief  I  felt  was  as  sensible  as  though  I 
had  been  confined  in  a  dungeon,  under  a  ponderous 
B 


16  Biographical  Sketch 

load  for  five  months,  (for  the  same  day  five  monthe 
that  the  fountain  of  the  great  deep  was  broken  up. 
the  Lord  was  pleased  to  open  my  eyes  and  shew 
me  the  bow  in  the  eloud  as  a  token  for  good,)  and 
immediately  ushered  into  light  and  liberty,  for  that 
was  the  comparisan  I  had  then  in  my  mind. — I  had 
nothing  uncommon  presented  to  my  imagination^ 
neither  had  I  any  assurance  that  my  sins  were  for- 
given me,  but  I  felt  a  sweet  ctilmness  of  mind,  and 
sensible  thirsting  of  soul  after  Christ,  to  which  I 
had  ever  before  been  a  stranger. 

Since  that  time  I  have  enjoyed  much  peace  of 
mind,  and  a  considerable  deliverance  from  my  sins 
and  temptations ;  and  although  I  have  but  seldom 
doubted  of  the  Lord's  work  being  begun  in  my 
soul,  I  know  not  that  this  has  ever  had  the  remotest 
tendency  to  make  me  remiss  in  the  duties  of  his 
appointment.  I  believe  whoever  has  tasted  that 
the  Lord  is  gracious,  would  not  remit  his  diligence 
was  he  ever  so  sure  of  getting  to  heaven  at  last — no, 
my  dear  sir,  communion  with  God  is  heaven  to  the 
believing  soul,  and  nothing  short  of  the  light  of  his 
countenance  will  satisfy  his  desires — "not  as  though 
I  had  already  attained,  either  were  already  perfect,'^ 
no,  my  dear  friend,  I  am  as  poor,  as  helpless,  as 
needy  as  ever ;  but  I  trust,  in  the  Lord  Jehovah  I 
have  righteousness  and  strength. — He  is  all  my  sal- 
vation and  all  my  desire.  But,  0  my  ingratitude 
to  this  very  hour !  How  often  do  I  detect  my 
wicked  heart  doing  that  abominable  thing  which  the 
Lord  hates ;  and,  although  I  believe  much  has  been 
forgiven  me,  yet  alas!  how  little  do  I  love!  But  the 
Lord  who  is  gracious  and  merciful,  knoweth  our 
frame,  He  remembereth  that  we  are  dust,  and  since- 
he  spared  not  his  own  son,  but  delivered  him  up 
for  us  all,  let  us  trust  his  gracious  promise  that  he 
will  with  him  also  freely  give  us  all  things.  To  his 
name  be  glory  for  ever^ 


Of  William  Hashit,  Esq..  JLif 

Thus,  my  dear  sir,  I  have  given  you  my  little 
history  with  that  freedom  and  confidence  which 
your  friendship  deserves.  Have  just  to  request  as 
a  continuance  of  your  favours,  that  you  would  re- 
member your  poor  unworthy  friend  when  it  is  well 
with  you,  and  believe  me  to  be  sincerely 

And  affectionately,  Yours, 

\VM.  HASLETT." 

After  having  found  peace  and  joy  in  believing, 
it  is  not  known  that  he  was  ever  afterwards  much 
perplexed  with  distressing  doubts  respecting  his 
justification.  His  religious  exercises,  however^ 
were  subject  in  other  respects,  to  as  great  vicissi- 
tudes as  most  others.  He  was  accustomed  to  exer- 
cise uncommon  vigilance  over  his  own  heart,  and 
had  a  deep  insight  into  the  corrupt  fountain  from 
which  all  evil  proceeds.  His  knowledge  of  expe- 
rimental religion  was  uncommon :  the  distinguish- 
ing evidences  of  genuine  piety  he  had  diligently 
studied.  Much  of  his  reading  was  of  authors  whose 
writings  were  of  the  most  spiritual  and  searching 
kind.  The  pious  Flavel  was,  perhaps,  his  favour- 
ite ;  and  deservedly  so,  for  he  owed  to  him  more 
than  any  other  person,  living  or  dead«  This  subr 
ject  also,  was  with  him  a  frequent  theme  of  conver- 
sation with  his  pious  friends.  It  seems  to  have 
been  an  object  with  him,  all  his  life,  to  search  out 
exercised  souls,  who  had  a  rich  experience  of  the 
various  dealings  of  God,  both  in  his  providence  and 
in  his  grace. 

The  following  extract  from  one  of  his  letters  will 
shew  that  even  in  the  early  part  of  his  christian  ex- 
perience he  knew  how  to  value  and  avail  himself  of 
the  fellowship  of  saints. 

''Cranberry,  I4th  Sept.  1792. 

^*  Joseph  Nourse,  Esqr. 

Dear  Sir,  I  hope  you  are 
enjoying  the  comforts  of  religion  in  your  own^oul, 


18  Biographical  Sketch 

whilst  I  am  labouring  under  the  power  of  a  hard 
heart,  struggling  against  sin  and  unbelief;  and  all 
the  powers  of  the  prince  of  darkness  !  I  still  remain 
in  the  same  dark  and  uncomfortable  state  of  mind, 
as  when  I  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you. — Would 
have  written  you  much  sooner,  but  have  been  for 
the  most  part  much  discouraged,  sometimes  alm.ost 
reduced  to  a  state  of  despondency. 

Your  obt.  humble  servt. 

WM.  HASLETT." 
This  letter  Mr.  Nourse  sent  to  the  late  pious  Jo- 
seph Magoffin  Esquire,  who  returned  it  with  the 
following  note : — 

"  Dear  Sir,  I  observe  you  are  to  answer  the 
above.  I  hope  your  pen  will  be  that  of  a  ready  wri- 
ter. Thus  saith  the  Lord  to  him  that  lualketh  in 
darkness  and  hath  no  light ;  let  him  trust  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord,  and  stay  upon  his  God,  But 
he  may  say  to  you,  in  the  bitterness  of  his  soul,  I 
know  not  the  way — I  cannot  so  much  as  see  men 
like  trees  walking  :  He  maketh  me  dwell  in  dark- 
ness as  those  who  have  been  long  dead.  But,  thus 
saith  the  Lord,  *.'2t  even-time  it  shall  be  light.  And 
when  the  da)^  begins  to  dawn,  it  is  no  difficult  mat- 
ter to  see  the  dead  bones  come  together,  and  flesh 
and  sinews  come  over  them ;  and  light  is  worth 
waiting  for  :  we  must  be  taught  that  it  is  so.  Mary 
came  to  the  sepulchre  while  it  was  yet  dark  ;  and  it 
w^as  well  worth  her  pains  to  come  to  that  sepulchre 
which  had  contained  the  Sun  of  Righteousness. 
Clouds  are  his  covering,  and  he  dwelleth  in  thick 
darkness.  But  it  is  the  darkness  of  too  much  light 
— ^too  much  for  our  enfeebled  eyes.  The  blessed 
Jesus  must  touch  the  eyes  a  second  time,  and  then 
we  will  see,  every  man  clearly.  Elijah's  servant 
was  full  of  terror  and  fear  without  any  cause ;  for, 
as  soon  as  his  eyes  were  opened,  he  saw  the  whole 
mountain  full  of  chariots  and  horses  of  fire. 


0/  JViniain  Hashtt,  Esq.  t^ 

<*'  I  hope  you  will  sympathize  with,  and  answer 
your  friend  largely.  We  know  not  how,  nor  when 
a  word  may  he  fitly  spoken,  and  0,  how  good  is  jtl 
A  certain  man  drew  a  bovv  at  a  venture,  and  smote 
the  king  of  Israel.  A  sling  and  a  stone  is  all  the 
armour  that  is  needful ;  if  the  Lord  be  there,  all  the 
Goliah-like  plagues  and  idols  of  the  heart  will  fall. 

"Thaiiks  for  Edwards,  I  always  thought  him  ^a 
great  man,  but  now  I  think  him  like  Saul  among 
the  prophets,  highor  by  the  head  and  shouldere. 
He  has  been  a  gi-eat  genius,  and  a  close  thinker.  1 
am  reading  him  with  eagerness. 

"  I  think,  if  it  shall  please  God  to  give  the  bles- 
sing, w^e  have  here  more  than  five  small  loaves  and 
a  few  small  fishes,  but  without  that,  not  half  so 
much.  But  let  me  not  weary  you :  I  would  just 
say  to  you  and  this  good  man  (who,  may  we  hope 
will  be  our  mutual  and  eternal  friend)  and  to  my^ 
self,  let  us  go  on  our  way :  and  only  add,  Comt 
Lord  Jesus,  come  quickly,  Amen. 

JOS,  MAGOFFIN-*' 
"  Cranberry,  I8th  Deer.  1792. 
^*  Joseph  Nourse,  Esqr. 

^'  Dear  Sir,  Your  muck 
fisteemed  favour  of  the  27th  Novr.  came  to  hand, 
together  with  a  guide  to  prayer,  (which  I  think  is 
well  calculated  to  promote  the  author's  intention, 
and  is  very  suitable  to  my  present  wants,)  but,  my 
dear  friend,  your  letter  itself  produced  in  me  a  stiH 
more  pow^erful  guide ;  for,  before  I  had  done  read- 
ing, I  was  obliged  to  retire  and  pour  out  my  heart 
unto  the  God  of  all  my  mercies.  Thank  you  sin- 
cerely for  your  friend's  letter,  it  proved  a  mean  tyf 
refreshing  my  soul ;  I  think  he  is  an  Israelite  indeed, 
and  if  I  mistake  not,  has  himself  been  a  stranger  in 
the  land  of  Egypt,  seeing  he  knovveth  the  heart  of 
a  stranger.  My  dear  sir  it  rejoices  my  heart  to  hear 
from  different  quarters  that  there  are  some  who  have 
B  2 


*iO  Biographical  Sketch 

lelt  the  power  of  Christ's  resurrection  in  their  souls, 
and  who  count  all  thins;s  but  loss  for  tlie  excellency 
of  the  knowledge  of  him.  Let  this  encourage  us, 
ray  christian  friend,  to  follow  on  to  know  the  Lord 
— in  due  time  we  shall  reap  if  we  faint  not — blessed 
be  God  that  ever  I  have  been  favoured  with  the 
acquaintance  of  any  such — they  are  in  my  esteem 
tiie  excellent  of  the  earth,  they  are  the  only  persons 
whom  I  desire  to  know^,  and  with  whom  1  hope  to 
spend  a  long  and  happy  eternity. 

"  My  dear  friend,  I  often  remember  with  grati- 
tude the  kind  providence  that  gave  me  an  opportu- 
nity of  being  acquainted  with  you,  and  if  it  has 
pleased  God  to  make  his  dealings  with  me  in  any 
degree  profitable  to  your  soul,  it  is  an  additional  call 
for  thankfulness  on  my  pait,  and  if  our  acquaintance 
has  been  blessed  to  our  mutual  advantage,  let  us 
mutually  ascribe  the  praise  of  all  to  the  great  source 
of  ail  our  happiness  and  comfort. 

^*  Since  I  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  I  have 

enjoyed  for  the  most  part  much  peace  of  mind,  and 

nt  sometimes  it  has  pleased  the  Lord  to  give  me  k 

ti\ste  of  unutterable  joy — sometimes  I  think  I  can 

ddopt  the  words  of  the  psalmist,  "  He  brought  me 

up  out  of  an  horrible  pit,  out  of  the  miry  clay,  and 

*'  set  my  feet  upon  a  rock — and  he  hath  put  a  new 

•'song  in  my  snouth,  even  prai.se  unto  our  God.'^ 

15at  it  is  not  so  at  all  times,  and  I  have  had  one  re-* 

inarkable  season  of  darkness  not  long  ago,  though  ir 

eontinucd  but  two  days — then  I  could  say  *'My 

**  heart  is  smitten  and  withered  like  grass,  so  that  I 

♦•  forget  to  eat  my  bread — I  watch  and  am  as  a  spar- 

'•row  alone  upon  the  house  top."     Indeed  I  never 

before  so  well  understood  Mr.  Bunyan's  Douhtin«^ 

Castle  and  Giant  Despair,  I  think  it  tr\dy  descrip- 

vive  of  the  state  I  was  then  in.  But  blessed  be  God ^ 

i  liave  found  that  although  weeping  may  endure  fo:* 

a  night,  joy  cometh  in  the  morning — that  the  Lord 


Of  William  Ilaslett,  Esq.  21 

will  not  always  chide,  neither  will  he  keep  his  an- 
ger forever — blessed  forever  be  the  Lord  who  for- 
giveth  all  our  iniquities ;  who  healeth  ail  our  dis- 
eases. 

"  My  dear  friend  I  thank  you  sincerely  for  my 
little  book.  Hope  I  shall  improve  by  its  valuable 
directions,  and  not  forget  to  remember  my  kind 
friend  to  whom  I  stand  indebted  for  so  useful  and 
to  me  so  necessary  a  help.  Would  be  glad  to  know 
who  this  valuable  friend  of  yours  is,  and  if  he  would 
condescend  to  take  notice  of  the  least  and  most  un- 
worthy of  those  who  bear  the  name,  and  profess  to 
be  the  followers  of  Jesus.  Would  be  happy  in  the 
prospect  of  one  day  being  personally  acquainted 
with  him. 

"  I  am  sorry  to  hear  of  Mr.  Smith's  indisposition, 
feel  my  soul  engaged  in  pleading  for  his  recovery, 
though  I  believe  for  him  to  die  would  be  gain.  Yet 
I  would  hope  and  praj^  (with  due  submission  to  the 
<livine  will)  that  his  life  may  be  prolonged.  Sure- 
ly he  hath  been  a  succourer  of  many,  and  of  myself 
aho.  His  words  have  been  in  season  to  my  weary 
^oul.  My  heart  is  knit  with  his  for  his  faithfulness 
in  his  master's  service,  and  for  the  sweet  refresh- 
ment it  pleased  the  Lord  to  give  me  through  his  in- 
strumentality. 

"  It  will  give  me  pleasure  to  hear  from  you  again. 
I  know  sir  you  are  a  good  deal  engaged  in  worldly 
business,  but  I  liope  and  believe  the  business  you 
most  delight  in  is  religion.  Therefore  if  ye  have 
judged  me  to  be  faithful,  favour  me  with  an  account 
of  the  Lord's  dealings  with  you — remember  the 
words  of  your  friend  *^  We  know  not  when  a  word 
^*  may  be  fitly  spoken — and  a  bow  at  a  venture  hath 
*'sometmes  hit  the  mark."  I  will  consider  it  mv 
high  privilege  to  write  you  in  my  turn. 
Ever,  ever  Yours, 

WM.  HASLETT." 


20  Biographical  Sketch         £ 

The  following  remarks  respecting  revivals  of  re- 
ligion, are,  perhaps,  too  valuable  to  be  omitted  : 
*•  Philadelphia,  March  24 M,  1802. 

"Joseph  Nourse,  Esquire, 

Dear  Sir,  It  has  been 
my  opinion  from  the  lirst,  that  even  those  who  can- 
not get  above  their  prejudices,  and  see  the  finger 
of  God  in  this  great  work,  ought,  at  least,  to  take 
the  advice  of  Gamaliel  and  let  it  alone,  lest  haply 
they  be  found  to  fight  even  against  God."  We  are 
strange  selfish  beings,  and  are  ever  ready  to  limit 
the  Holy  One  of  Israel  to  such  ways  and  methods 
of  working  as  our  experience  can  approve.  But  as 
well  might  we  deny  our  existence,  as  that  "  His 
ways  are  unsearchable  and  past  finding  out."  If 
the  apostle  could  rejoice  that  Christ  was  preached, 
even  though  from  motives  of  envy  and  strife,  shall 
not  every  pious  soul  rejoice  to  see  his  kingdom 
spread,  by  w^hatever  means  the  Holy  Spirit  is  pleas- 
ed to  make  use  of  for  this  end?  I  have  no  doubt 
my  dear  friend,  but  in  this,  as  well  as  all  former 
revivals,  Satan  is  busy  sowing  his  tares ;  and  even 
amongst  those  who  are  savingly  wrought  upon,  may 
we  not  look  for  some  things  which  will  be  justly 
considered  as  imprudence  and  extravagance,  but 
shall  we,  on  this  account,  deny  that  it  is  the  Lord's 
doings,  and  marvellous  in  our  eyes?  "Tell  it  nol^ 
in  Gath,''  for  most  assuredly  the  hearts  of  the  ur- 
circumcised  will  triumph." 

In  this  same  letter  Mr.  Haslett  thus  expresses  his 
regard  for  his  friend,  and  his  confidence  in  God : 

"  My  dear  friend  will  perceive  with  how  much 
freedom  I  suffer  my  pen  to  run  when  writing  to  you. 
Yes,  my  heart  is  enlarged,  and  I  feel,  even  at  this 
distance  of  time,  the  powerful  influence  of  our  first 
interview.  Your  friendship  and  tenderness  on  thai 
occasion,  more  Jirin  in  my  remertihrance  stands^ 
than  if  engraved  in  brass.     Many  changes  have 


Of  William  Haslelt,  Esq.  23 

taken  place  in  my  poor,  wandering,  unstable  soul 
since  then,  and  it  well  becomes  me  to  adopt  the 
language  "Oh  that  my  head  were  waters,  &c."  But 
it  is  our  consolation  that  "our  great  High  Priest  is 
passed  into  the  heavens.''  "  His  blood  speaketh 
better  things  than  the  blood  of  Abel."  Strange,  that 
were  we  commanded  to  do  some  great  thing,  we 
would  at  once  attempt  to  do  it,  but  discover  such  a 
backwardness  to  ''luash  and  he  clean.^' 

In  those  associations  of  pious  men  sometimes  held 
in  this  city  [Philadelphia]  for  conference  on  vital 
religion.  Mr.  Haslett  was  always  considered  an  in- 
structive and  useful  member.  He  was  much  in  se- 
cret meditation,  reading  and  prayer:  his  closet  he 
considered  the  place  where  the  surest  test  of  the 
state  of  his  soul  might  be  found.  If  all  was  right 
here,  it  was  so  every  where  else ;  and  here,  the  first 
symptoms  of  declension  and  backsliding  manifested 
themselves.  But  he  delighted  greatly  in  public  or- 
dinances. The  sabbath  was  to  him  a  delight  and 
honourable  ;  and  he  was  evidently  glad  when  they 
said  unto  him,  Come,  let  us  go  up  to  the  house  of 
the  Lord.  Many  a  time  has  the  church  proved  to 
him  a  Bethel ;  and  while  the  messenger  of  God 
displayed  the  riches  of  grace,  his  heart  has  been 
filled  to  overflowing,  and  he  has  been  ready  to  ex- 
claim. It  is  good  to  be  here.  One  day  in  thy 
courts  is  better  than  a  thousand. 

In  prosperity  it  is  no  difficult  thing  to  say,  The 
Lord  gave;  but,  in  adversity  to  thankfully  bless 
the  Lord,  who  taketh  away,  is  no  easy  matter; 
yet,  through  Christ  who  strengthened  him,  Mr. 
Haslett,  like  Job  blessing  God  in  adversity  as  well 
as  in  prosperity,  exemplified  by  his  faith  and  its 
fruits,  that  religion  is  a  sufficient  support  of  the  soul 
in  all  circumstances.  By  its  hallowing  influence, 
"  tribulation  worketh  patience,  and  patience  expe- 
rience, and  experience  hope,  and  hope  maketh  not 


24  Biographical  Sketch 

ashamed,  because  the  love  of  God  is  shed  abroad  ia 
our  hearts  by  the  Holy  Ghost  which  is  given  unto 
us." 

Faith  which  has  not  been  tried,  cannot  be  known 
to  be  faith.  Affliction  is  the  test  of  virtue.  That 
ore  which  appears  very  brilliant,  often  vanishes 
when  cast  into  the  furnace.  The  character  which 
has  stood  fair  in  the  day  of  prosperity,  is  often 
withered  in  the  day  of  adversity.  This  remark  is 
verified  in  a  greater  degree,  in  no  elass  of  persons 
than  merchants  who  become  bankrupt  Tlie  change 
in  their  circumstances  is  often  so  sudden,  their  fa- 
milies are  accustomed  to  live  in  ease,  and  often  in 
luxury,  and  are  totally  unprepared  to  endure  hard- 
ship, their  opportunities  of  defrauding  their  creditors 
are  so  great,  that  many  who  have  maintained  lofty 
pretensions  to  honour  and  integrity?  fall  disgrace- 
fully on  this  slippery  ground.  Indeed  the  evidence 
which  would  convict  a  man  of  fraud,  is  commonly 
wanting  in  these  cases;  but  the  ease  and  abundance 
in  w^hich  the  family  of  the  bankrupt  lives  in  retire- 
ment, but  too  plainly  demonstrate  that  there  has 
been  some  unfair  management  This  trial  was  en- 
dured by  Mr.  Haslett  without  a  suspicion  affecting 
his  integrity.  He  honestly  gave  up  every  thing; 
and  the  circumstances  to  which  his  family  was 
immediately  reduced,  showed  that  he  had  passed 
through  this  severe  ordeal  H7ihurt. 

Mr.  Haslett  neither  murmured  at  Providence 
nor  sunk  into  despondency.  He  bowed  his  neck 
to  the  yoke  submissively,  and  seemed  to  say  by  all 
his  conduct.  It  is  the  Lord,  let  him  do  lohat  seein- 
eth  him  good.  His  friends  could  observe  no  per- 
ceivable difference  in  his  tranquillity,  or  his  cheer- 
fulness, and  yet  his  nature  was  remote  from  insen- 
■eibility. 

The  utility  of  appending  the  following  letters  &c. 
v/ill  be  obvious  to  every  intelligent  reader.    Before 


Of  William  Hashtty  Esq.  25 

they  can  be  fully  understood,  however,  it  is  neces- 
sary foF  the  reader  to  know,  that,  after  much  delib- 
eration, Mr.  Haslett  embarked  with  his  two  young- 
est sons,  Sannaei  and  Thomas,  for  New  Orleans,  in- 
tending:: to  recommence  business  in  that  city.  But, 
xvithoiit  his  fault,  he  was  utterly  disappointed. — 
Therefore,  leaving^  his  sons  in  that  city, — Samuel 
haviap;,  through  the  influence  of  Daniel  W.  Coxe, 
esquire,  obtained  a  situation  io  the  Custom  House, 
and  Thomas  being  received  into  the  family  of  John 
and  Abraham  Inskip,  esquires,  he  went  up  the 
country  to  Woodville,  and  opened  a  store.  The 
short  time  Mr.  Haslett  remained  there,  success  at- 
tended his  efforts. 

Ship  W,  P.  Johnson,  Capt.  DaweSj 
^^t  Sea,  February  I5th,  1819. 
IMy  Dear  Caroline,  Although  we  are  now  at  a 
great  distance  from  you,  and  every  day  increasing 
that  distance,  yet  we  can  in  a  moment  place  our, 
selves  at  the  comer  of  Walnut  and  Front  streets, 
and  take  a  particular  interest  in  what  is  doing  there, 
Mv  thoughts  often  lead  me  thither,  and  my  prayers 
often  ascend  to  the  God  of  sabaoth  for  your  well- 
being  and  happiness.  I  hope  my  dear  Caroline 
will  remember  her  Creator  in  the  days  of  her  youth, 
and  seek  the  Lord  while  he  may  be  found.  I  hope 
to  hear  that  all  of  you  attend  Dr.  NeilPs  bible  class, 
as  you  may  thereby  receive  much  spiritual  know- 
ledge. I  hope  you  will  be  a  dutiful  girl  to  your 
mother,  and  affectionate  and  kind  to  your  sisters ; 
and  live  together  without  complaining  or  finding 
fault  one  with  another — Live  \n  peace  and  the  God 
of  love  and  peace  shall  be  with  you.  M  the  Lord 
bring  us  safe  to  land,  I  hope  to  receive  letters  froni 
you  by  every  packet.  With  love  to  your  mothdF, 
Asters,  and  grand -pa,  I  am, 

Your  affectionate  Father, 

WM.  HASLETT, 


26  Biographical  Sketch 

Ship  W.  P.  Johnson f 
At  Sea,  February  ISth,  1819. 

My  dear  Elizabeth  and  Janetta,  We  are  now 
floating  on  the  great  water,  and  the  ship  sometimes 
rocks  about  so,  that  we  cannot  stand  or  sit  without 
holding  by  a  rope  or  something  else  ;  but  when  the 
wind  is  fair  she  behaves  better,  and  we  can  write 
and  read  and  sit  comfortably. 

About  ten  days  ago  we  were  near  a  large  rock  in 
the  sea,  and  the  wind  was  ahead  and  nearly  calm, 
and  we  let  go  our  anchor  and  the  captain  and  all 
the  passengers  went  ashore  in  the  boat  and  landed 
on  the  rock.  The  top  of  the  rock  was  about  as  large 
as  two  squares  in  Philadelphia.  When  we  landed 
we  saw  a  great  quantity  of  large  birds  about  the  size 
of  a  duck,  and  they  were  sitting  (many  of  them)  on 
their  nests,  and  would  not  rise  until  we  would  come 
close  to  them.  Every  nest  had  two  large  eggs,  and 
we  thought  we  could  take  some  of  them  on  board, 
(for  we  might  have  filled  several  barrels)  but  we 
found  they  were  mostly  rotten.  Some  of  the  young 
ones  were  beautiful,  as  white  as  snow  and  long 
down  upon  them.  We  brought  some  on  board  but 
they  were  not  eatable.  The  boys  were  much  de- 
lighted with  this  little  adventure,  and  so  would 
Elizabeth  and  Janetta  and  Caroline  and  Mary- Ann 
and  Harriett  and  even  Ma,  had  they  all  been  witU 
us. 

We  sailed  from  this  rock,  which  is  called  *'  The- 
Great  Isaac,''  when  the  wind  came  fair,  and  had 
gone  but  a  short  distance  when  a  privateer  came  up 
with  us  and  fired  a  shot  to  bring  us  to.  She  was- 
full  of  men,  and  we  were  all  busy  in  putting  some 
of  our  clothes  out  of  the  way,  as  we  expected  the}'" 
would  plunder  us  of  such  things  as  they  wanted, 
but  when  they  came  on  board  they  behaved  very 
civilly  and  disturbed  nothing.  They  asked  us  for 
some  potatoes  and  we  gave  them  a  barrel;,  tw© 


€)f  William  Hashfty  Rsq.  2l 

pounds  of  butter,  and  a  dozen  of  porter;  in  ex* 
change  for  which  they  gave  us  a  1 5  gallon  cask  of 
red  wine  and  a  quantity  of  onions,  and  so  we  parted 
to  our  great  joy.  The  wine  is  very  good  with  water, 
and  now  the  weather  is  warm  we  find  it  very  plea- 
sant. 

And  now  my  clear  children  I  hope  tlie  Lord  wil; 
bless  you,  and  make  you  good  and  happy.     Be  obe» 
dient  to  your  Ma,  and  kind  to  each  other;  you  know 
birds  in  their  little  nests  agree.     As  little  IMariu 
Louisa  could  not  understand  a  letter,  you  must  give 
her  a  kiss  for  Pa,  and  I  hope  you  will  learn  fast, 
that  you  may  soon  be  able  to  write  me  a  letter. 
Your  affectionate  Father, 
WM.  HASLETT. 
P.  S.  I  will  expect  to  hear  you  are  still  learning 
your  catechism,  and  hope  you  will  say  it  every  sab  ■ 
bath  day. 

JVoodville,  Octr.  9f/i,  1819, 
Alexander  Henry,  Esqr. 
Esteemed  friend — My  last  communication  was 
from  "  the  house  of  mourning,"  and  this  is  a  second 
edition  with  additions — ^*  severer  for  severe,"     It 
has  pleased  a  kind  and  merciful  God  to  take  from  us 
our  beloved  son  Samuel; — he  died  on  the  26th  uh, 
atler  five  days  illness.    How  often,  my  dc^^r  friend, 
do  we  act  the  part  of  children :  when  the  Lord  lay.- 
his  hand  light  upon  us  we  make  a  loud  complaint, 
as  though  our  sufierings  were  intolerable,  and  theii 
he,  as  a  wise  parent,  makes  us  leel  indeed,  and  qui- 
etly submit  to  his  will.     When  our  dear  son  Tho- 
mas was  taken,  I  felt  the  stroke  and  thought  ii 
heavy,  but  this  last  dispensation  I  have  found  much 
harder  to  bear,  and  all  the  fortitude  I  could  summors 
was  like  burnt  llax. 

This  dear  youth  had  wound  himself  deeply  into 
my  affections.     His  correspondence  with  me  here- 
had  surprized  and  comforted  me,  and  I  had  fondh- 
C 


23  Biographical  Sketch 

hoped  he  would  have  been  spared  to  be  the  supporv 
and  solace  of  my  declining  years— he  had  moreover 
an  acquaintance  and  aptness  in  business  beyond  his 
years.  But  why  do  1  thus  indulge  the  pleasing, 
painful  recollection — he  is  mine  no  more.  0  that 
I  could  truly  and  practically  say,  "the  will  of  the 
Lord  be  done."  I  have  indeed  tried  to  submit,  and 
I  would  fondly  hope,  have  "  not  charged  God  fool- 
ishly." But  "soon  or  late  the  heart  must  bleed  that 
idols  entertain."  I  think  it  probable  my  dear  fa- 
mily will  have  heard  of  this  second  stroke  before 
this  reaches  you,  if  not,  you  will  please  introduce 
the  subject  with  some  preface  before  you  deliver 
the  gloomy  tidings.  I  enclose  some  verses  which 
I  wrote  to  try  to  alleviate  my  "overmuch  sorrow," 
if  you  think  proper  you  may  take  copy  and  deliver 
the  original  to  my  weeping  family,  and  should  my 
dear  friend  and  brother  Jaudon,  &c.  wish  a  mourn- 
ful remembrancer  of  me,  you  can  furnish  it.  ■  There 
is  nothing  meritorious  in  the  composition,  &c.  but 
they  were  written  with  a  sorrowful  and  disconsolate 
heart,  and  with  many  tears.  I  had  been  careful, 
and  troubled  about  losses,  disappointments,  &:c.  but 
this  has  swallowed  up  all  the  rest  for  the  time  being. 
I  do  not  expect  to  get  to  Orleans  before  the  middle 
of  November,  and  there  my  grief  must  be  renewed 
afresh,  if  indeed  I  am  spared  until  that  time,  for 
this  whole  country  is  sickly,  and  many  dying  all 
around  with  the  same  fever  that  prevails  in  Orleans. 
A  few  days  since  a  member  of  the  family  where  I 
live,  died  with  it  in  four  days  sickness.  Please  to 
AVrite  to  mc  to  Orleans. — Love  to  the  brethren  and 
all  friends. — Prav  for  me.     Yours  truly, 

W.  HASLETT. 
JVoodviUe^    (Mississippi)  Octr.  9th,  1819. 
My  Dear  wife  and  daughters. 

What  shall  I  say  to  console  you,  when  I 
•am  mvsclf  almost  overwhelmed  in  sorrow. — "In-. 


Of  William  Hashtt,  Esq.  29 

satiate  archer!  could  not  one  sufl&ce?  thy  shaft  flew 
thrice,  and  thrice  ray  peace  was  slain,  and  twice  ere 
once  yon  moon  had  filPd  her  horn."  My  beloved, 
too  much  beloved  Samuel  is  no  more.  He  has  fol- 
lowed his  brother  down  to  the  tomb,  and  left  me  to 
wander  on  these  unfriendly  shores  alone.  He  was 
taken  on  the  night  of  the  21st  Septr.  and  had  every 
attention  paid  him  which  the  best  physicians  and 
nurses  could  bestow,  but  the  Lord  was  pleased  to 
call  him  awa)?"  on  the  morning  of  the  2^th  Septr. 
I  heard  of  his  sickness  in  a  few  days,  but  was  not 
informed  of  the  issue  until  a  few  days  ago,  and  dur- 
ing this  state  of  suspense,  you  may  imagine,  but  you 
cannot  realize  my  solicitude — I  prayed  and  wept, 
and  wept  and  prayed.  This  dear  boy's  letters 
would  surprize  you — he  seldom  omitted  to  request 
earnestly  my  prayers  for  himself  and  his  dear  bro- 
ther Thomas,  as  he  called  him ;  and  in  his  last  let- 
ter he  says,  "  My  dear  father,  I  fear  the  loss  of  my 
dear  brother  Thomas  will  affect  you  greatly,  but  you 
are  well  versed  in  misfortune,  and  I  hope  will  be 
enabled  to  bear  up  under  it."  I  bad  written  to 
them  to  go  over  to  the  bay  of  St.  Louis,  but  they 
found  it  difficult  to  get  away,  and  very  expensive, 
and  they  put  it  off  until  too  late.  Indeed  the  coun- 
try even  here,  is  little  better  than  Orleans,  and  the 
the  same  yellow  or  bilious  fever  prevails,  but  is  not 
quite  so  malignant.  There  are  few  houses  where 
part  of  the  family  is  not  sick.  One  in  the  family 
where  I  board  died  in  four  days  sickness  last  week 
with  yellow  fever. 

The  Lord  has  preserved  me  in  tolerable  health 
hitherto ;  for  your  sakes  I  trust  he  will  preserve  me 
a  little  longer.  As  soon  as  it  is  safe,  I  purpose  if 
the  Lord  will,  to  return  to  Orleans,  where  I  anti- 
cipate a  sorrowful  season — no  affectionate  child  to 
welcome  my  arrival  there,  O,  7ny  sons,  my  sons  ! 


30  Biographical  Sketch 

—but  I  forbear  :  "it  is  the  Lord,'^  I  will  bless  his 
holy  name  and  hold  my  peace. 

I  have  enclosed  to  my  friend  Henry  some  verses, 
which  I  here  present  you  as  a  memorial  of  a  living 
husband  and  parent,  and  of  departed  worth — it  has 
no  merit  in  it,  but  was  composed  under  heart-felt 
sorrow,  and  it  would  have  been  easy,  during  the 
time  I  wrote  it,  to  have  covei'ed  the  paper  with 
tears.  May  the  Lord  comfort  and  support  you,  and 
sanctify  to  us  all  his  gracious  dealings.  Write  to 
me  at  Orleans ;  let  my  beloved  Harriett,  Mary  and 
Caroline  write  to  me  and  put  their  letters  into  the 
care  of  the  captain  of  the  packet,  with  a  request  to 
deliver  to  me  himself,  to  save  a  heavy  postage  which 
is  charged  here.  Let  me  know  what  prospect  you 
have  of  living;  I  expect  it  will  take  more  than  I 
can  raise  to  pay  the  expense  of  doctors,  &c.  which 
are  very  high,  but  I  will  try  to  earn  something  as 
speedily  as  possible,  in  some  way — the  Lord,  I 
hope,  will  direct  me.  My  love  to  friends,  and  may 
the  God  of  peace  be  with  you.     I  am 

Your  afflicted 
WM.  HASLETT. 
New  Orleans,  Novr.  20/A,  1819. 

My  beloved  Daughters,  I  have  now  no  sons  to 
address — your  dear  brothers  are  all  gone  down  to 
the  silent  tomb.  You  may  well  imagine  what  my 
feelings  have  been,  on  and  since  my  arrival  here — 
"when  the  steam  boat  arrived  opposite  the  custom 
house  where  my  dear  Samuel  used  to  write,  and  the 
friends  of  those  who  had  been  absent  were  pressing 
on  board  to  welcome  their  arrival — Oh  my  heart 
what  didst  thou  feel !  no  affectionate  Samuel  and 
Thomas  to  greet  my  arrival — no,  they  were  no  lon- 
ger to  be  found  among  the  living! — I  soon  repaired 
to  the  melancholy  receptacle  of  the  dead,  and  found 
my  dear  Samuel's  grave.  I  expect  to  find  Thomas's 
yet     I  have  some  of  SamnePs  hair  and  his  profile^ 


Of  miliatn  Haslett,  Esq.  "31 

shall  I  send  them  to  you  ?  I  have  received  all  your 
letters  to  Samuel  np  to  the  I'Sth,  Octr.  (post  mark) 
and  note  in  your  dear  mother's  last,  the  death  of 
Orand-Pa  and  Dr.  Monroe — my  dear  William  had 
gone  before — I  would  fondly  hope  they  would  all 
meet  in  hcai-en — there  the  wicked  cease  from  trou- 
bling, and  tlie  weary  are  at  rest. 

Your  dear  brothers  "here  had  greatly  improved  in 
every  thing  praise-worthy.  Samuel  was  an  uncom- 
mon youth — the  collector  told  a  gentleman  of  my 
acquaintance  that  he  never  had  his  accounts  so  neat- 
ly kept  before.  But  it  has  pleased  the  Lord  to  take 
them  from  a  world  of  sorrow  and  of  sin,  and  we 
must  not  repine  nor  sorrow  as  those  who  have  no 
hope.  You  have  heard  from  Samuel  the  particulars 
of  Thomas's  death.  Samuel  was  taken  on  the  night 
of  the  21st.  September  about  10  O'clock — had  a 
physician  sent  for,  who  came  immediately,  and  at- 
tended him  constantly.  "On  Saturday,  25th,  my 
friend  wrote  me  he  was  better,  and  that  they  had 
hopes  of  his  recovery;  but  that  night  he  grew 
worse,  and  about  midnight  he  was  seized  with  the 
black  vomit.  He  had  his  senses  until  that  time,  he 
then  became  delirious,  and  about  9  o'clok  on  Sun- 
day morning,  26th,  his  soul  took  its  flight.  0  !  my 
dear  children,  how  solemn  is  the  hour  of  death,  and 
how  sensibly  have  we  been  reminded  of  its  awful 
oertainty.  I  cannot  get  your  dear  brothers  out  of 
my  mind  for  a  single  hour  whiiC  awake,  and!  sleep 
little, — may  the  Lord  support  us  all. 

Samuel,  as  well  as  Thomas,  had  the  best  attend- 
ance  possible.  The  lady  he  lived  with  treated  him 
as  her  own  child  in  liis  illness,  and  she  wept  at  his 
remembrance  when  I  first  called  upon  her.  It  gives 
me  great  pleasure  to  hear  you  are  a  comfort  to  your 
mother ;  I  hope  you  will,  each  and  all  of  you,  seek 
religion  while  young — your  dear  brothers  used  to 
vrite  *^  My  dear  papa,  remember  us  in  your  pray- 
€2  . 


J2  Jiiogrophicnl  Sketch 

ers,"  and  surely  the  woods  can  bear  me  witness  that 
I  cried  to  the  Lord  for  them.  Write  to  me  my  dear 
Harriet,  Mary,  and  Caroline  ; — send  your  letters  up 
to  Mr.  Henry  and  he  will  forward  them  by  the 
packets.  With  my  earnest  wishes  for  your  happi- 
ness and  comfort,  I  am,  my  beloved  ciiildrcn, 
Your  affectionate  father, 

WM.  HASLETT. 

Do  my  dear  Elizabeth  and  Janetta  seem  to  realize 
*^heir  brothers  death  ?  Tell  them  papa  loves  them 
dearly,  and  often  thinks  of  their  dear  prattle  Can 
little  ]Maria  Louisa  walk  and  talk? 

New  Orleans,  20th  May,  1820. 

My  dear  Wife  and  Daughters, 

I  am  not  a  little  disappointed  at  not  hearing 
from  you  by  one  of  the  packets  just  arrived.  It  is 
now  upwards  of  three  months  since  the  date  of 
your  last  letters.  I  hope  nolhhig  special  has  oc- 
curred to  prevent  your  writing,  and  what  can  be  the 
reason  ? 

Since  my  Inst,  notlnng  of  im])ortance  Iuts  tran- 
spired. The  weather  now  is  remarkably  warm, 
and  5^ou  may  readily  suppose  the  people  are  look- 
ing forward  to  the  sickly  season  with  some  degree 
of  anxious  solicitude. — By  the  brig  Feliciana,  which 
mailed  a  few  days  since,  I  sent  to  Mr.  Henry  ^s  care 
two  barrels  of  sugar,  which  I  hope  you  will  receive 
§afe.  The  season  of  business  will  soon  be  over  here, 
and  I  purpose,  if  spared,  to  take  some  goods  with 
jme  to  the  country,  about  the  beginning  of  August, 
in  hopes  of  doing  something  during  the  autumn. 

Inclosed  you  will  receive  some  verses  written  af- 
ter my  return  to  this  place,  and  after  receiving  the 
news  of  our  dear  William's  decease.  I  liope  the\- 
will  serve  rather  to  soothe  than  to  grieve  your 
Tiinds,  Perhaps  at  no  one  period  did  I  so  sensibly 
feel  the  weight  of  my  afliictions  as  at  the  time  I  ar- 
rived here;  and  having  no  intimate  friend  with 


Of  William  Hasleity  Esq,  33 

whom  I  could  freely  converse  on  the  subject,  I 
gave  vent  to  my  feelings  on  paper;  and,  to  gratify 
some  of  those  who  had  read  the  manuscript  and 
wished  to  have  copies,  I  gave  them  to  the  printer. 
I  hope  they  will  he  acceptable,  not  on  account  of 
any  real  value  or  beauty,  but  as  a  memorial  of  the 
writer  and  our  dear  departed  children. 

If  I  am  spared  I  hope  to  be  in  a  way  of  doing 
something  next  winter.  Business  in  this  place  is 
exceedingly  precarious,  and  failures  much  more 
frequent  here  than  in  Philadelphia,  although  the 
population  is  not  one  half.  I  hope  my  beloved 
children  will  be  afiectionate,  kind,  and  attentive  to 
iheir  mother,  and  endeavour  to  improve  each  others 
minds,  especially  endeavour  to  improve  in  the 
knowledge  of  God  and  divine  things.  I  hope  I 
shall  soon  hear  from  you  and  of  your  vv'elfare.  I 
beg  you  will  write  me  by  mail  without  thinking  of 
postage,  and  with  earnest  wishes  foi*  your  happi- 
nc\ss.  I  am,  Your  afiectionate  husband  and  father. 

W.M.  HASLETT. 


Tlie  following  lines  were  written  by  an  ufilictcd  parent 
en  hearing  of  the  death  of  two  beloved  sons,  (Samuel 
:md  Thomas  Ilaslett)  in  N.  Orleans,  Sept.  1C19.  and  pre- 
sented as  a  mournful  remembrancer  to  a  weeping  mother 
and  sisters. 

.  7%e  Lord gave^  and  the  Lord  hath  taken  away, 
hJessed  he  the  name  of  the  Lord,    Job  i.  21. 

On  the  banks  of  Mississipi, 

Pensive,  drooping,  and  forlorn, 
Lo  !  I  wander,  none  to  pity, 

WbJIe  with  grief  my  bosom*s  torn, 
i^ar  from  friends,  and  at  a  distance 

From,  my  kindred  and  my  home^ 


34  Biographical  Sketch 

Only  Thou  canst  grant  assistance, 

Gracious  God  !  to  thee  I  come. 
Pity,  0  my  Father  shew  me  ! 

Pity  dwells  within  thy  hreast; 
But  thy  grace  and  love  hestow  me, 

Sooth,  0  sooth  my  griefs  to  rest! 
Saviour,  once  wiien  here  sojourning, 

Thou  with  weeping  friends  didst  weep  ; 
Visit  now  the  house  of  mourning — 

In  the  grave  our  children  sleep. 
While  we  shed  the  tear  of  sorrow, 

O'er  your  tombs,  beloved  youth, 
May  we  from  religion  borrow 

Consolation,  built  on  truth. 
From  this  world  of  tribulation 

You've  been  early  called  away, 
Taught,  I  trust,  the  great  salvation — 

Should  we  wish  your  longer  stay? 
When  by  duty's  call  directed 

To  this  pestilential  shore. 
Little  had  we  then  expected 

Thus  to  part  to  meet  no  more.* 
Tho'  in  youth,  that  giddy  season, 

You  could  share  a  parent's  pain; 
To  our  hearts  endear'd — good  reason  ? 

Death,  alas  !  our  peace  hath  slain. 
Let  us  then  with  due  submission, 

To  thy  will  our  Father  bow. 
With  sincere  and  deep  contrition, 

Bless  the  hand  afflicts  us  now. 
Thou  art  still  tlie  good,  the  gracious, 

All  thy  ways  and  dealings  just; 
To  our  souls  thy  word  is  precious, 

On  thy  promise,  sure,  we  trust. 
Though  our  friends  and  cliildren  leave  vrs-, 

Here  a  few  short  days  to  mourn. 

-^  In  this  world. 


Of  William  Haslctt,  Esq.  35 

He  that  died  and  rose  to  save  us. 

To  our  joy,  will  soon  return. 
May  we  then  with  rapt'rous  pleasure, 

Be  prepared  to  meet  above. 
All  who  sought  the  heav'nly  treasure. 

All  who  priz'd  a  Saviour's  love. 
There  no  pestilential  fever, 

Nor  that  worse  distemper,  sin, 
Shall  approach,  but  bliss,  forever 

Pure  and  unalloy'd,  begin. 
Let  thy  love,  our  Father,  cheer  us, 

While  this  wilderness  we  roam ; 
Be  thy  gracious  presence  near  us, 

Till  thou  art  pleas'd  to  call  us  home. 

The  first  effusions  of  parental  sorrow,  occasioned  by 
the  death  of  three  beloved  and  promising  youths  *  during 
the  months  of  AuguS'  and  September,  1819,  were  writ- 
ton  in  the  country,  and  appeared  in  the  New  Orleans 
Chronicle,  in  NGVcmbcr  last,  The  following  were  pen- 
ned after  the  return  of  their  afflicted  parent  to  that  citr, 
the  principal  scene  of  his  late  sufferings,  where  almost 
every  circumstance  serves  to  remind  him  of  his  loss,  and 
to  renew  the  painful  feelings  of  his  deeply  wounded  heart. 

I  loill  sing  of  mercy  and  of  judgment.  Ps.  ci.  1. 

No, — tho'  I  would,  I  cannot  cease  to  mourn, 
A  complicated  grief  afflicts  my  breast. 

With  ev*ry  rising  sun  my  sighs  return, 
And  painful  recollections  break  my  rest. 

*  Mr.  Haslett  had  three  eons : 

WILLIAM,  born  22d  August,  1800 ;  departed  this  life  at  St. 
Georffe's,  Bermuda,  on  the  16th  August,  1819,  aged  18  years,  11 
monthtj,  24  days. 

SAMUF.L,  born  October  1,  1801 ;  departed  this  hfe  at  New 
Orleans,  2Gth  September,  1619,  aged  17  years,  11  months,  21 
days. 


96  Biographical  Sketch 

My  busy  thoughts  new  streams  of  grief  supply, 
And  mem'ry  still  recounts  my  sorrows,o'cr ; 

To  shun  the  retrospect  in  vain  I  try, 
My  aching  bosom  bleeds  at  every  pore. 

With  holy  Job,  my  heart  within  me  says, 
In  sad  review  of  dear  delights  now  flown. 

Would  it  were  with  me  as  in  former  days. 
Ere  "  melancholy  mark'd  me  for  her  own'^ — 

When  round  me  stood  my  fondest  earthly  props. 
My  children,  guardians  of  declining  years  : 

But  now  bereft — now  blasted  all  my  hopes, 
Am  left  to  mourn  in  solitude  and  tears. 

Beloved  youths  !  tho'  for  a  time  we  part, 
Short  season  ere,  I  hope,  we'll  meet  again. 

Your  mem'ry's  deeply  graved  upon  my  heart, 
And  there,  must  still  indelible  remain. 

What  tho'  no  monument  your  tombs  supply, 
No  sculptur'd  stone  points  out  your  lowly  bed, 

Though  in  obscurity  your  ashes  lie. 
Your  worth  outlives  the  marbles  of  the  dead. 

Denied  alas  !  a  parting,  last  adieu  ! 
Unconscious  of  the  impending,  dreadful  stroke. 

Your  souls  were  gone,  ere  the  sad  tale  I  knew, 
The  flash  had  struck,  ere  yet  the  thunder  broke. 

No  father  near  to  lift  the  fervent  prayer, 
Or  succour  yield  in  that  most  trying  hour. 

No  mother's  fond  endearments  could  you  share> 
Nor  in  her  bosom  all  your  sorrows  pour : 

No  weeping  sisters  press  around  your  bed, 
With  deep  solicitude  to  give  relief; 

No  dear  companions  tears  of  friendship  shed, 
Nor  join  their  sorrows  to  this  sum  of  grief. 

But  all  was  melancholy — all  was  wo  ! 
When  from  this  world  of  sin  your  spirits  fled, 

THOMAS,  born  28th  December,  1803,  departed  this  hfe  at 
New  Orleans,  11th  September,  1819,  aged  15  years,  8  months, 
X4  days. 


Of  William  Hasletty  Esq,  si 

When  strangers  kindly  other  cares  forego 
To  soothe  your  pains  and  smooth  your  dying  bed- 
By  strangers  were  your  obsequies  performM, 
By  stran fibers  shed  the  sympathetic  tear, 

B}  strangers  honoured,  and  by  strangers  mournM, 
By  strangers  foilow'd,  was  your  lonely  bier. 

But  is  there  then,  my  soul,  no  healing  balm  ? 
No  bow  of  promise  glimmering  through  the  cloud  ? 

Yes,  gracious  Saviour,  thou  canst  say  "be  calm,'* 
Amidst  the  raging  of  the  tempest  loud. 

Yes,  in  the  book  of  God  the  humble  find 
A  sure  resource  when  earthly  comforts  flee, 

Nor  will  Thou  e'er  forsake  the  lowly  mind, 
That  casts  its  cares  and  burdens,  Lord,  on  thee. 

Now,   while  I  turn  the  sacred  pages  o'er 
In  quest  of  truth  and  consolation  sure, 

I  see  new  beauties  unobserv'd  before, 
I  feel  new  pleasures  permanent  and  pure  : 

There  too  I  learn,    O  that  I  felt  it  more  ! 
Submission,  unreserv'd,  to  Heaven's  decree  ; 

To  bow  in  silence  and  the  hand  adore 
That  smites  and  heals,  that  wounds  and  comforts  me. 

Now  while  the  loss  of  earthly  joys  I  feel, 
Wither'd  my  gourds  and  blasted  every  flower. 

May  grace  divine  both  sanctify  and  heal, 
And  fit  me  for  my  last  departing  hour: 

That  I  amidst  my  difficulties  may. 
While  passing  through  this  vale  of  Bacca  dry, 

The  sacred  pleasure  have  to  weep  and  pray— 
And  meet  a  Father's  smile,  and  pitying  eye. 

0  privilege  divine  !  how  great !  how  sweet  t 
To  cast  our  nurdens  on  th'  Almighty's  care, 

To  sit,  like  Mary,  at  a  Saviour's  feet. 
And  there  dissolve  in  penitence  and  pray'r. 

To  see  his  countenance,  to  hear  his  voice, 
Whatever  woes  betide  or  comforts  flee. 

Drowns  all  our  sorrows  and  awakes  our  joys. 
And  leads,  0  God,  to  happiness  and  Thee. 


38  Biographical  Sketch,  ^*c, 

A  Saviour's  presence  can  a  bliss  impart. 
E'en  when  affliction  fill  the  tide  of  wo ; — 

A  word  from  him  can  cheer  the  drooping  heart. 
And  bid  the  threatening  billows  cease  to  flow. 

A  word  fro  11  him  can  all  our  fears  destroy. 
When  thro'  death's  gloomy  vale  we're  call'd  to  go. 

Can  waft  our  spirits  to  that  world  of  joy, 
Where  biiss  supreme  his  grace  and  love  bestow. 

STANZAS,  in  memory  of  William  Haslett,  es<^.  of 
Philadelphia,  who  died  at  Woodvillo,   1821. 

Servant  of  Christ!  the  meed  divine, 
Which  crowns  the  just  when  life  has  run  : 

The  wealth  of  deathless  love  is  thine. 
The  plaudit  of  thy  God— "Well  done.'' 

Borne  on  affliction's  stormy  deep, 
The  path  thy  Saviour  trod  before, 

'Twas  thine  in  solitude  to  weep. 
Yet  lowly,  meekl}^,  to  adore. 

In  foreign  climes,  when  far  away, 
From  those  whose  solace  could  befriend. 

Faith  trusted  the  Immortal  Stay, 
Who  said,  "  I'm  with  you  to  the  end  ;" 

And  when  thy  offspring  met  their  God. 
The  father  wept  upon  their  dust. 

The  Christian,  humbled  'neath  the  rod. 
Confess'd  Jehovah's  dealings  just. 

Servant  of  Christ !  the  night  of  gloom 
That  cheerless  gather'd  o'er  thy  brow. 

Awoke  the  day-spring  of  the  tomb. 
Which  brightly  breaks  upon  thee  now. 

Oh  ye  !  who  by  stern  sorrow  tried, 
Yet  linger  in  life's  wilderness, 

Come  !  lenn  on  Him,  the  widow's  guide, 
The  Father  of  the  Fatherless  !  ^  "S. 


AN  ADDRESS 


TO    THE 


OF  ALL  DENOMINATIONS ; 

WITH  SOME 

DISCRIMINATIVE 


AUTHOR'S  PREFACE. 


The  following  pages  were  written  under  an  im- 
pressive sense  of  the  languishing  state  of  religion. 
It  is  not  intended  by  the  Author  to  censure  or  to 
reflect  upon  those  to  whom  it  is  addressed ;  but  to 
offer  a  few  hints,  which  the  great  Head  of  the 
Church  may  bless  to  his  faithful  ministers,  whom 
we  esteem  very  highly  in  love  for  their  work's 
sake.  We  doubt  not  that  many  of  them  mourn  in 
secret  on  account  of  the  want  of  success  in  their 
ministrations,  and  long  to  see  the  pleasure  of  the 
Lord,  prospering  in  their  hands.  To  such,  we  be- 
lieve our  remarks  will  not  appear  altogether  unsea- 
sonable. If  the  writer  has  been  actuated  by  proper 
motives,  (and  we  have  the  testimony  of  our  own 
conscience  in  this  respect)  and  has  taken  a  correct 
view  of  this  very  important  subject,  may  he  not 
hope  that  the  blessing  of  God  will  accompany  and 
succeed  this  humble  attempt,  though  it  be  but  as  a 
cup  of  cold  water  given  in  the  name  of  a  disciple? 

If  it  should  be  intimated,  that  an  Address  to  the 
Clergy  would  have  come  with  more  propriety  from 
a  Divine,  than  from  an  obscure  Layman,  the  fact  is 
readily  admitted  ;  yet  we  may  be  permitted  to  say, 
that  ministers  in  general  think  they  have  already 
enough  to  do,  and  if  we  can  in  any  wise  aid  them 
in  their  labours,  by  strengthening  their  hands  or 
exciting  their  zeal,  even  though  we  should  only  be 
as  hewers  of  wood  and  drawers  of  water  to  the  con- 
gregation of  the  faithful,  may  we  not  hope  for  ac- 
ceptance according  to  that  which  we  have,  and  not 
be  estimated  according  to  that  w^hich  we  have  not? 


42  Authors  Preface. 

As  to  the  imperfections  which  the  skilful  eye  of 
tho  practised  critic  may  detect,  it  is  only  needful  to 
say — we  are  made  up  of  imperfections — none  is 
free  from  them — "None  is  good  but  one,  that  is 
God/'  Our  chief  encouragement  is  derived  from 
the  views  and  (we  may  hope)  the  experience  we 
have  had  of  His  power  and  grace,  in  some  cases 
when  all  human  help  had  utterly  failed,  and  when 
we  were  constrained  to  trust  in  God  alone,  and  were 
helped.  We  may  well  say  with  the  Psalmist,  '^  If 
it  had  not  been  the  Lord  who  was  on  our  side,  &.c." 
In  what  we  have  written,  we  have  no  hope  of  bene- 
fit or  usefulness,  but  through  the  grace  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  who,  we  firmly  believe,  out  of  the  mouths 
of  babes  and  sucklings  can  ordain  strength. 

No  one  who  believes  the  sacred  Scriptures  to  be 
a  divine  revelation,  will  deny  the  preaching  of  the 
gospel  to  be  of  divine  appointment.  "It  hath  pleas- 
ed God,"  saith  an  Apostle,  "by  the  foolishness  of 
preaching,  to  save  them  that  believe" — but  "  the 
power  is  of  God."  So  that  Paul  may  plant  and 
ApoUos  may  water,  and  God  giveth  the  increase. 
This  truth  is,  in  theory,  so  generally  admitted  by 
all  who  have  taken  upon  themselves  the  name  of 
christians,  that  it  needs  no  illustration-^but  \\.%praC' 
tical  influence — alas!  we  fear  it  is  known  and  felt 
by  few.  To  all  who  feel  interested  in  the  spread 
of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom,  and  more  especially 
those  who  have  been  called  to,  or  have  in  prospect, 
the  sacred  office  of  the  gospel  ministry,  are  the  fol- 
lowing pages  respectfully  addressed. 


AN  ADDRESS 


TO    THE 


CLERGY  AND  CHRISTIANS 

OF  ALL  DENOMINATIONS,    &C. 


Much  respected  Fathers  and  Brethren, 

You  who  are  ambassadors  for  Christ,  have 
^,aken  upon  you  a  heavy  weight  of  responsibility. 
You  may  well  adopt  the  language  of  the  Apostle, 
and  ask,  "Who  is  sufficient  for  these  things  ?'* 

"'  No  other  post  affords  a  place, 
"For  equal  honour  or  disgrace." 

\s  the  excellency  of  the  power  in  giving  success 
to  the  word  preached,  is  of  God,  so  the  praise  and 
glory  must  be  ascribed  to  him  alone.  Let  it  there- 
fore be  kept  in  constant  remembrance,  that  "  He  is 
jealous  of  his  honour,  and  his  glory  he  will  not  give 
to  another." 

When  our  Divine  Master  was  about  to  depart 
from  his  disconsolate  disciples,  having  opened  their 
understandings  that  they  might  understand  the 
scriptures,  he  addressed  them  thus:  "And  behold, 
I  send  the  promise  of  my  Father  upon  you :  but 
tarry  ye  in  the  city  of  Jerusalem  until  ye  be  endued* 
with  power  from  on  high."  He  had  before  said, 
"'  Without  me  ye  can  do  nothing" — and,  "  No  man 
can  come  to  me  except  the  Father  which  hath  sent 
me  draw  him.^'  From  these,  and  many  other  pas- 
D2 


N4  e^n  Address  to  the  Clergy^  and 

sages,  and  from  what  pstonishing  effects  were  pro- 
duced by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost  on  the  day 
of  Pentecost,  it  is  needless  to  prove  more  fully  the 
necessity  of  the  co-operation  of  this  divine  agent, 
in  order  to  the  success  of  a  preached  gospel.  But 
when  Vv'e  view  the  state  ©f  our  churches — alas !  have 
we  not  great  reason  to  fear  that  whatever  of  form, 
of  orthodoxy,  of  gifts,  &c.  may  be  there,  that  there 
is  little  appearance  of  the  work  and  influence  of  the 
Holy  Spirit?  Will  those,  then,  who  now  preach, 
and  tliose  who  are  preparing  for  the  sacred  minis- 
try, "  suffer  the  word  of  exhortation  ?''  Will  they 
condescend  to  receive  a  few  hints,  intended  solely 
for  the  general  good  and  their  especial  consideration, 
from  one  who  is  indeed  the  least  of  all  saints,  and 
who  acknowledges  himself  to  be  altogether  unwor- 
tiiy  of  tendering  them  ? 

The  writer  has  thought  much  on  th^  languishing 
state  of  religion  in  our  churches,  in  our  families, 
land  in  our  hearts  ;  and^  having  been  led  into  an  ex- 
amination of  the  causes,  has  been  constrained  to 
adopt  this  conclusion — that,  one  of  the  principal 
causes  of  unsuccessful  preaching.,  formal  saying  of 
prayers,  and  unprofitable  hearing  of  sermons,  is  the 
neglect  of  the  divine  agency  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 
In  words  we  admit  the  necessity  of  his  blessed  in- 
fluences, but  in  reality — practically,  we  act  as  though 
we  could  dispense  with  them.  But,  if  it  be  a  truth 
that. "No  man  can  say  that  Jesus  is  the  Lord,  but 
bj^^he  Holy  Ghost,"  how  can  any  one  preach,  or 
pray,  or  hear,  or  read  to  profit,  without  his  sacred 
influence  and  teaching?  And  yet  what  mournful 
evidence  have  we  of  the  criminal  neglect  (to  say 
the  least)  of  those  wtio  are  called  to  the  perform- 
ance of  important  and  arduous  duties,  and  who 
bpend  their  time  and  labour,  principally  in  making 
such  preparation  only,  as  will  recommend  them  to 
'    KS.'w  follow  men,  while  comparatively  little  time 


Christians  of  all  Denominations.         4^ 

and  pains  are  employed  in  seeking  the  aid  of  that 
*•'  Wisdom  which  cometh  from  above,  and  which  is 
above  all." 

We  are  not  much  concerned  as  to  the  mode  of 
preparing  and  delivering  sermons,  although  we  be- 
lieve no  man  can  study  to  advantage  without  using 
his  pen ;  and  if  a  sermon  be  well  studied,  and  the 
importance  of  the  subject  and  object  well  digested 
and  understood,  and  especially,  if  it  be  accompa- 
nied with  the  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  the 
delivery,  it  will  not  make  any  essential  difference 
whether  it  be  committed  to  writing  or  committed 
to  memory.  In  such  cases  we  cannot  suppose  that 
the  preacher  will  always  be  confined  to  any  set 
form  of  words,  for  where  the  Spirit  of  God  is, 
there  is  liberty,  and  his  divine  teaching  ought  ever 
to  have  the  precedence.  The  apostle's  exhortation 
to  Timothy,  "  Study  to  shew  tl^.yself  approved  un- 
to God,  a  workman  that  needeth  not  to  be  ashamed, 
rightly  dividing  the  word  of  truth,''  presupposes, 
as  we  conceive,  the  diligent  use  of  his  natural  pow- 
ers, with  an  entire  dependance  on  supernatural  aid  ; 
nor  can  we  believe  that  these  can  be  separated  with- 
out a  direct  and  manifest  violation  of  the  order  and 
harmony  which  God  has  ordained  in  qualifying 
men  for  the  work  of  the  ministry,  at  the  same  time 
that  the  success  and  increase  must  come  from  him. 

But  it  may  be  objected  by  some,  that  all  minis- 
ters of  the  gospel  do  seek  and  pray  for  the  aid  of 
the  Divine  Spirit,  and  that,  therefore,  we  are  only 
fighting  a  shadow,  or  as  one  who  beateth  the  air. 
Would  to  God  that  this  were  truly  the  case.  Is  it 
indeed  the  truth,  that  ministers  or  private  christians 
practically  realize  that  "of  ourselves  we  can  do 
nothing," — that  "we  know  not  what  we  should 
pray  for  as  we  ought," — that  "the  things  of  God 
are  foolishness  to  the  natural  or  unregenerated 
man,"  and  that  the  same  almighty  power  by  which 


46^*  */in  ^fddress  to  the  Clergi/,  and 

Christ  was  raised  from  the  dead,  is  necessary'-  to 
raise  a  soul  dead  in  sin,  to  newness  of  life  ?  Do 
the  preachers  of  the  gospel  keep  habitually  in  mind, 
when  making  preparation  for  the  services  of  the 
sanctuary,  that  all  their  labour  will  be  unavailing, 
unless  accompanied  by  the  influences  of  the  Spirit 
of  Grace  on  the  hearts  of  their  hearers  ?  And  with 
what  earnestness  and  diligence  should  they  seek, 
as  a  foundation  for  their  hope  and  expectation  in 
this  all  important  concern,  to  experience  the  power 
and  grace  of  this  Divine  Instructor  on  their  own 
hearts  ?  This  would  give  them  the  tongue  of  the 
learned,  to  speak  a  word  in  season  to  the  weary, 
and  make  them  wise  to  win  souls — this  would  ena- 
ble them  to  give  to  saint  and  to  sinner  their  portion 
in  due  season,  and  help  them  rightly  to  divide  the 
word  of  truth.  Instead  of  formal,  dull,  and  lifeless 
services,  we  might  expect  under  the  guidance  of 
this  divine  teacher,  that  the  hearts  of  ministers  and 
people  would  burn  within  them  while  he  opened  to 
them  the  sacred  scriptures. 

We  wish  not  to  seem  to  intimate  that  this  gift  of 
God,  this  promised  comforter  to  the  church  and 
people  of  God,  can  be  obtained  by  anj^  eflbrts  or 
agency  merely  human;  or,  that  we  can  by  our  most 
zealous  endeavours,  and  our  most  importunate  re^ 
quests  secure  his  divine  presence  and  aid  at  all 
times.  Of  ourselves  we  can  do  nothing ;  but,  by 
faith  in  the  adorable  Redeemer  and  the  word  of  his 
grace,  we  can  do  all  things.  Here  is  something 
truly  enigmatical  to  those  who  are  strangers  to  the 
precious  word  of  life — and  there  are  many  enigmas 
in  a  believer's  experience. — They  are  weak,  and 
they  are  strong :  having  nothing,  and  yet  possess- 
ing all  things.  INIany  passages  of  scripture  mighr. 
be  adduced,  as  well  as  the  experience  of  the  saints 
to  prove  this  position. 


Christians  of  all  Denominations,         47 

It  has  been  strongly  impressed  upon  the  mind  of 
the  writer,  and  it  has  been  part  of  his  experience, 
that  we  are  exceedingly  defective  in  our  views  and 
notions  of  the  medium  by  which  the  great  head  of 
the  church  now  communicates  with  his  people.  Our 
Divine  Saviour  informs  us  (John,  xvi.  7,  8,)  "  If  I 
go  not  away,  the  Comforter  will  not  come  unto  you; 
but  if  I  depart,  I  will  send  him  unto  you:  and  when 
he  is  come,  he  will  reprove  the  world  of  sin,  of 
righteousness,  and  of  judgment."  Now,  ye  heralds 
of  the  cross,  in  what  way  do  ye  hope  for  success 
in  the  great  work  of  converting  sinners  unto  God? 
Is  it  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit  accompany- 
ing the  word?  If  so,  surely  you  will  spend  much 
time  in  praying  for  his  gracious  influences;  and,  it 
will  be  the  burden  of  your  requests  that  this  heaven- 
ly guest  may  take  up  his  residence  in  your  hearts, 
and  you  will  carefully  attend  to  the  important  di- 
rection given  by  the  apostle,  "  Grieve  not  the  Ho- 
ly Spirit  of  God,  whereby  ye  are  sealed  unto  the 
day  of  redemption." 

If  it  be  a  truth  that  the  success  of  the  gospel  de- 
pends entirely  upon  the  influence  of  the  Holy  Spi- 
rit, how  careful — hov^^  circumspect  should  those  be 
to  whom  this  precious  message  has  been  commit- 
ted ;  lest  by  an  unholy  walk  and  conversation,  they 
grieve  the  divine  Messenger,  and  thereby  prove 
the  occasion  of  their  own,  and  their  hearers  ever- 
lasting ruin  !  How  should  this  consideration  solem- 
nize the  mind  and  affect  the  heart !  How  should  it 
prevent  the  frothiness,  foolish  talking  and  jesting 
which  are  not  convenient,  and  ought,  especially  in 
ministers,  to  be  carefully  avoided  !  Under  the  Old 
Testament  dispensation  none  were  eligible  to  the 
office  of  the  priesthood  who  had  any  defect  or  ble- 
mish in  his  bodily  parts:  and  under  the  gospel  how 
holily  and  unblamably  and  irreproachably  should 
the  minister  of  Christ  walk,   that,  as  the  apostlo 


49  •.iti  *9dciress  to  the  Clergy,  a?id 

exhorts,  they  may  be  an  example  to  believers,  in 
word,  in  purity  and  doctrine?  How  important, 
yet  how  difficult  for  many  to  say  with  an  apostle, 
**I  am  pure  from  the  blood  of  all  men."  But  how 
great  will  be  the  joy  and  crown  of  rejoicing  of  faith- 
ful ministers,  in  the  day  of  our  Lord  Jesus.  "  They 
that  turn  many  to  righteousness  shall  shine  as  the 
stars  forever  and  ever." 

But  the  faithful  minister's  happiness  is  not  limit- 
ed to  rewards  which  are  future :  what  though  you 
are  at  times  cast  down,  57^et  you  often  experience  a 
joy  that  strangers  intermeddle  not  with.  "  Be  not 
weary  in  well-doing,  for  in  due  season  ye  shall  reap 
if  ye  faint  not."  The  great  captain  of  your  salva- 
tion hath  chosen  you  to  be  his  soldiers — to  be  lead- 
ers under  his  banner.  Be  strong,  therefore,  in  the 
Lord,  and  in  the  power  of  his  might,  and  take  to 
you  the  whole  armour  of  God.  No  man  that  war- 
reth  entangleth  himself  with  the  affairs  of  this  life, 
that  he  may  please  him  who  hath  called  him  to  be 
a  soldier.  Since  ye  have  known  him  and  embark- 
ed in  his  service,  lacked  ye  any  thing?  We  are 
persuaded  ye  will  answer — nothing. 

There  are,  however,  it  is  to  be  feared,  those  who 
from  mistaken  or  no  better  motives,  have  entered 
into  this  honourable  service  without  being  called  of 
God.  To  all  such  it  must  be  a  heavy  burden  ;  but 
that  is  not  ail— "  If  the  blind  lead  the  blind,  both 
must  fall  into  the  ditch."  Alas!  alas!  ye  ministers 
who  have  never  felt  the  burden  of  sin,  the  love  of 
Christ,  the  worth  and  vdue  of  souls,  what  have 
you  to  do  with  this  office  ?  "  Who  hath  required 
this  at  your  hands  ?"  How  dishonourable  to  assume 
a  character,  and  especially  such  an  important  one  as 
that  of  an  ambassador  of  Christ,  when  you  have  no 
credentials  to  produce,  no  evidence  to  yourselves  or 
to  others,  of  such  an  appointment.  Of  all  men  liv- 
ing, ministers  of  the  gospel,  without  grace  and  an 


Christians  of  all  Denomin^afi&m,         49 

experimental  knowledge  of  the  trutlis  (hey  preach, 
are  the  most  miserable.  They  are  miserable  in  this 
life,  their  service  being  a  perfect  drudgery,  and 
alas !  their  prospects  as  to  futurity,  how  dark  and 
melancholy ! 

Perhaps  no  single  circumstance  can  more  strong- 
ly prove  the  blindness  and  deceitfiilness  of  the  heart 
than  the  fact  that  men  will  continue  through  the 
whole  course  of  a  long  life  to  act  the  part  of  teach- 
ers, and  yet  they  themselves  know  neither  what 
they  say,  nor  whereof  they  affirm.— Still  they  go 
on  with  as  much  ease  and  self  complacence  as  if 
they  were  doing  God  service !  What  are  we  to 
suppose  the  views  and  feelings  of  a  minister  of  the 
gospel  to  be,  whose  principal  concern  is  to  get  the 
duties  of  his  calling  performed,  but  Avho  feels  no 
greater  solicitude  as  to  the  efiects  to  be  produced, 
than  if  the  gospel  he  has  preached  were  a  cunnino-- 
ly  devised  fable.  Such  preachers  are  not  mere% 
cumberers  of  the  ground— there  are  no  neutrals  in 
this  case,  "He  that  is  not  for  us  is  against  us  "— 
What  thinkest  tliou,  reader,  would  be  the  advice 
of  an  unconverted  minister  in  case  one  of  his  flock 
were  to  be  convinced  of  sin,  and  biouo;ht  to  enquire 
"What  must  I  do  to  be  saved?*'  Would  he  o-ire 
the  same  direction  that  was  given  by  an  apostle  in 
a  similar  case,  "  Believe  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
and  thou  Shalt  be  saved  ?^*'  No,  very  different 
would  be  his  advice~he  knows  of  no  such  exer- 
cises as  are  experienced  by  the  convinced  and  en- 
quiring sinner;  and,  therefore,  he  would  be  seen 
to  send  the  poor  awakened  soul  to  the  world  for 
comfort;  or,  if  the  case  appeared  to  admit  of  no 
other  cure,  he  would  probably  recommend  the  per- 
son as  a  fit  subject  for  bedlam. 

Thus  will  such  blind  watchmen  not  only  not  see 
the  danger  and  give  warning  of  its  approach,  but, 
like  unskilful  workmen,  they  will  daub  with  untem- 


50  An  Address  to  the  Vlergt/,  and 

pered  mortar,  or  sow  pillows  under  the  arm-holes 
of  the  slothful,  saying,  "  ye  shall  have  peace,  though 
ye  walk  in  the  imagination  of  your  heart,  and  in 
the  sight  of  your  eyes  to  add  drunkenness  to  thirst.'* 
— These  are  teachers  who  are  ever  thorns  in  the 
sides  of  the  people  of  God.  They  are  themselves 
blind,  and  they  not  only  hate  the  light,  but  like- 
wise all  who  have  been  bi*ought  to  see  the  light. 

Nothing  will,  perhaps,  more  excite  the  enmity 
and  opposition  of  such,  than  to  hear  of  revivals  of 
religion — of  souls  being  awakened,  converted,  and 
comforted.  Such  things  are  as  smoke  in  their  nos- 
trils, and  they  cannot  bear  them.  Revivals  of  reli- 
gion have  appeared  to  us  as  a  very  important  test 
of  the  truth  and  reality,  or  the  absence  of  christian 
faith  in  the  professor,  whether  ministers  or  people. 
Piety  will  ever  be  concerned  for  the  honour  of  God, 
and  the  advancement  of  his  cause,  and  even  where 
there  is  something  to  regret,  as  is  often  the  case  in 
revivals,  there  will  be  joy  and  rejoicing  at  what 
appears  to  be  the  work  of  the  spirit  of  God.  But 
formalists,  who  can  never  bear  to  hear  of  others 
going  beyond  their  own  line  of  things,  will  be  on 
the  looh:  out  only  for  flaws  and  failings ;  and,  like 
flies,  will  leap  over  all  the  sound  parts,  and  alight 
only  on  the  sores. — We  knew  a  formal  professor 
who  was  relating  with  an  air  of  triumph  the  case  of 
a  religious  man  who  had  been  overtaken  in  a  fault. 
While  this  circumstance  caused  self-gratulation  to 
the  formalist,  a  pious  man  who  was  present,  and  in 
nowise  concerned  but  for  the  honour  of  God,  on 
the  bare  recital  of  the  tale,  shed  tears  of  sympathy. 
The  truly  pious  man  is  always  concerned  for  the 
cause  of  God ;  he  has  bowels  of  compassion  for  a 
fallen  brother. — How  then  can  he  exult  at  the  suc- 
cess of  the  enemy  of  God  and  man  ? 

Another  grievous  consequence  of  the  neglect  of 
the  agency  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  our  churches  and 


Christians  of  all  Denomijiaiions.        4^ 

families,  is  that  of  which  the  prophet  complain?^ 
"  They  have  healed  the  hurt  of  the  daughter  of  my 
people  slightly,  saying  peace,  peace,  when  there  i,> 
no  peace.'^  The  popular  sentiment,  now-a-day^^ 
seems  to  be,  that  conviction  for  sin  is  hardly  neces- 
sary to  prove  the  conversion  of  the  soul  to  God — 
whereas  both  scripture  and  christian  experience 
teach  another  lesson.  Like  blossoms  in  the  spring 
precedeth  fruit,  so  conviction  must  precede  con^ 
version.  "The  whole  need  not  the  physican,  bu<: 
they  that  are  sick.'' 

How  often  are  the  fairest  prospects  blasted,  and 
where  there  appeared  many  blossoms  no  fruit  is  to 
be  found.  Many  have  been  almost  christians — 
many  have  put  on  the  form,  but  are  ignorant  of, 
and  even  deni/  the  power  of  godliness — many  for 
a  time  run  well,  but  do  not  continue  to  obey  the 
truth.  That  master  in  Israel,  Mr.  Flavel,  says, 
"  The  soul  that  is  thoroughly  convinced  of  sin,  will 
have  as  different  views  of  it  from  those  it  had  for- 
merly, as  a  person  would  have,  who  formerly  seeu 
only  the  lion  painted  on  the  sign-post,  and  should 
now  meet  the  living  lion  roaring  against  him  in  the 
street/'  "You  are  likely,"  continues  the  same 
pious  author,  "  to  have  some  sick  days  and  restless 
nights.  That  frothy  heart  must  be  smitten,  if  you 
are  ever  brought  savingly  to  close  with  Christ  by 
faith.  How  can  it  be  otherwise,  when  we  consi 
der  the  native  pride  and  obstinacy  of  the  human 
heart?  Will  the  healthy  send  for  the  physician ? 
Will  the  rich  beg  for  bread  ?  Will  any  but  the  des* 
titute  seek  covering  or  shelter  ?  Or,  will  any  but 
the  weary  and  heavy  laden  long  for  rest  ? — surely 
none. 

The  work  of  conviction  by  the  Holy  Spirit  an- 
swers now,  in  some  respects,  to  that  of  John  th^ 
Baptist— to  prepare   the  way  of  the   Lord,   an(i 
iBaVe  his  paths  -straights     Wh'at  preparation  rrr-^- 
E. 


53*  c^n  M dress  to  (he  Clergy j  and 

(here  not  be  wanting  in  a  heart  in  love  with  sin  and 
the  world,  a«d  averse  to  all  that. is  spiritual  and 
^ood  ?  The  law  of  God  applied  to  the  conscience^ 
is  often  a  severe,  though  neccssar)'  teacher  in  this 
case;  and,  even  under  its  most  powerful  operations^ 
how  will  the  proud  heart  cleave  ta  its  own  boasted 
performances,  until  it  is  fairly  beaten  off  from  all 
its  resting  places  and  refuges  of  lies,  when  at  length 
rt  is  brought  to  the  brink  of  ruin,  and  in  the  act  of 
thinking,  is  enabled  to  cr^',  <'Lord,  save  or  I  perish," 
Nvhcre  is  boasting  then  ?  it  is  excluded.  Then  is 
the  prey  taken  from  the  mighty,  and  the  lawful 
caj)tive  delivered.  **The  Mount  of  Danger  is  the 
place  where  sinners  find  surprizing  grace."  In  per- 
sons grown  to  years  of  understanding,  without  any 
saving  knowledge  of  God,  we  can  conceive  of  no 
probable  way  in  which  they  can  be  brought  to  a 
saving  acceptance  of  Christ,  but  through  the  opera- 
lion  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  convincing  them  of  sin. 
and  reducing  them  to  the  happy  necessity  of  seek- 
ing refuge  in  Christ.  '<Thy  people  shall  be  willing 
in  the  day  of  thy  power."  '"They  shall  be  all 
taught  of  God."  ''The  dead  shall  hear  the  voice 
of  the  Son  of  God,  and  hearing,  they  shall  live.'' 
How  little  danger  now  appears  to  be  apprehend- 
ed with  regard  to  foundation-principles  !  A  pro- 
fession of  religion — a  mere  outside  appearance  is 
enough ;  and,  for  a  moment  to  doubt,  or  call  in  ques- 
tion llie  truth  and  reality  of  a  work  of  grace,  even 
where  there  are  no  visible  evidences  of  it,  would 
be  to  violate  the  great  law  of  Christian  charity  ! 
>Vfc  wonld  not  encourage,  or  even  countenance  a 
oeaisorious  spirit — no,  where  there  is  any  tenable 
gvoui-id,  charity  hopeth  all  things.  But  is  there  ne 
oriterion  by  wliich  we  are  to  judge  for  ourselves^, 
jind  even  by  which  we  may  with  safety  direct 
others?  Is  there  no  danger  of  building- a  stately 
fabric  on  a  saatlv  foundation  ?  Of  spending  our  mo~ 


Christians  of  all  Deno7ninations.       .  53 

iiey  for  that  which  is  not  bread,  and  our  labour  for 
that  which  satisfieth  not?  Of  -saying  peace,  peace, 
when  there  is  no  peace  ?  Of  having  a  form  of  god- 
liness, but  denying  the  power  thereof?  Of  saying, 
I  am  rich  and  increased  in  goods,  and  have  need  of 
nothing,  when  at  the  same  time  the  poor  self-de- 
ceiver is,  in  reality,  wretched,  and  miserable,  and 
blind  and  naked?  Whei-e  is  now  the  skilful  hand 
of  an  Edwards,*  of  a  Flavel,t  of  a  G.  Tennent,  of 
a  Whitelield?  Alas!  is  the  heart  less  dutiful  than 
formerly,  or  are  there  but  few  who  are  sufficiently 
aware  of  its  wickedness  and  deception,  and  care  for 
such  things  ? 

We  had  good  assurance  of  the  truth  of  the  fol- 
lowing facts  and  circumstances,  which  happened 
about  twenty-one  years  ago;  and  we  now  give  them 
as  an  evidence  of  the  honour  which  God  hath  been 
pleased  to  put  upon  his  faithful  servants  and  their 
labour  of  love,  even  after  they  themselve  have  en- 
tered into  the  joys  of  their  Lord. — A  young  man 
^vho  had  received  a  religious  education,  and  had 
been  bi ought  up  in  a  regular  attendance  upon  reli- 
gious duties,  after  having  passed  through  the  regu- 
lar forms  of  catechising,  examination,  &c.  was  re- 
ceived into  the  communion  of  the  church,  and  had 
been  for  several  years  a  regular  and  orderly  profes- 
sor of  religion — was  frequent  in  the  performance 
of  religious  duties  both  in  public  and  in  private, 
and  at  times  was  much  under  the  impression  of  the 
truths  of  the  gospel.  He  had  however,  considera- 
ble doubts  and  misgivings  with  respect  to  the  truth 
of  his  religious  experience,  and  had  no  recollection 
of  any  particular  work  of  grace  upon  his  heart 
He  was  conscious,  however,  of  having  never  in- 
tended to  deceive  any  by  the  profession  he  had 
xnade,  but  he  generally  felt  an  unwillingness  to  en- 

'^  Edwards  on  the  Affcctior.«.       t  Touchptone  of  Sincerit}'-. 


54  An  Address  to  the  Clergy^  and 

ter  into  close  conversation  on  the  subject  of  expe^ 
rimental  religion.  In  conversation  with  a  friend, 
he  heard  Edwards  on  the  Religious  Affections  high- 
ly spoken  of;  especially,  as  being  admirably  cal- 
culated to  discover  the  deceitful  workings  of  the 
human  heart.  Not  long  afterwards,  and  at  a  time 
when  he  was  under  considerable  depression  respect- 
ing his  state,  the  providence  of  God  brought  this 
book  into  his  hands,  and  he  opened  it  with  an  anx- 
ious desire  to  know  its  contents.  The  place  to 
which  his  attention  was  directed  (having  opened  it 
promiscuously)  was  page  278,  on  which  are  the 
following  words : — "  But  that  which  is  the  true 
saint's  superstructure,  is  the  hypocrite's  founda- 
tion." After  reading  these  words  over  and  over — 
and  ruminating  upon  tliem,  lie  was  led  to  construe 
them  thus:  the  j)erson  who  is  self-deceived,  has 
never  been  brought  to  see  the  necessity  of  Christ 
as  a  foundation,  and  of  course  he  has  none.  He 
has,  therefore,  been  laying  down  the  shreds  of  du- 
ties, tears,  &c.  &c.  as  a  support  for  his  wavering 
li.ope,  and  tlius  has  he  been  erecting  a  building  up- 
on the  sand  instead  of  building  upon  Christ.  This 
was  powerfully  applied  to  his  own  case,  and  he 
soon  perceived  that  when  weighed  in  the  balance 
he  was  found  wanting.  His  convictions  became 
.5ecp  and  Dungent,  and  continued  for  about  three 
nonths,  during  which  time,  the  things  of  God  well 
rjgh  drank  up  his  spirits,  and  he  was  often  ready  to 
;ay — there  is  no  hope!  At  length  he  had  reason  to 
believe  that  *Hhe  prey  was  taken  from  the  mighty, 
•and  the  lawful  captive  delivered."  He  was  brought 
OHjt  of  the  horrible  pit  and  the  miry  clay,  and  to 
him  was  it  given  to  experience  joy  and  peace  in 
believing.  He  was  ever  afterwards  of  the  opinion 
Uiat  he  had  been,  previous  to  this  change,  under  the 
power  of  self-deception,  and  had  had  only  the  form 
.if  "godliness,  without  knowing  the  power  thereof, 


Chri^tiam  of  all  Denominations,       -33 

There  is  one  thing  which,  we  conceive,  Satan 
makes  use  of  as  a  powerful  means  of  blindfolding 
many  professors  of  religion,  and  keeping  them  fast 
in  his  chains,  to  wit :  When  the  Holy  Spirit  by 
his  word,  or  by  any  other  means,  brings  convic- 
tion to  the  conscience  and  makes  plain  the  fallacy 
of  the  formalist's  hope,  there  is  an  immediate  rem- 
edy at  hand  in  the  evil  suggestion,  that  we  ought 
never  to  entertain  any  doubt  respecting  our  good 
estate,  for  this  would  be  to  cherish  and  promote 
the  dreadful  sin  of  unbelief.  Whereas  the  word  of 
God  directs  us  to  examine  ourselves  whether  we 
be  in  the  faith,  and  to  prove  our  own  selves.  But, 
alas  !  how  much  pains  do  we  often  take  to  deceive 
ourselves  in  matters  of  eternal  concern  !  Would 
we  in  any  other  case  reject  the  convictions  of  our 
own  minds,  especially  when  outward  circumstances 
fully  corroborate  the  testimony  of  conscience.^ — ■ 
Surely  we  do  not.  It  must  indeed  be  so,  that  the 
god  of  this  world  blinds  the  minds  of  hypocrites 
and  poor  self-deceived  souls,  otherwise  the  light  of 
the  glorious  gospel  shining  into  to  their  hearts, 
should  show  them  their  character  and  danger. 

Are  we  mistaken  in  our  views  when  we  consid- 
er that  the  great  and  principal  end  and  design  of 
preaching  the  gospel,  to  be  to  point  out  the  wretch- 
ed and  dangerous  condition  of  fallen  man  by  na^ 
ture. — The  insufficiency  of  his  own  righteousness — - 
the  fulness  there  is  in  Christ — the  necessity  of  be- 
ing united  to  him  by  faith  and  being  renewed  u^ 
the  spirit  and  temper  of  our  mind,  so  as  to  be  in 
reality  new  creatures.  If  these  things  are  so, 
would  it  appear  strange  to  find  the  principal  aim 
and  object  of  preachers  to  be,  to  bring  their  hear- 
ers to  ascertain  to  what  description  of  character 
they  belong ;  for,  it  is  admitted  on  all  hands,  that 
every  congregation  is  divided  into  two  general 
classes,  namely,  saints  and  sinners :  and  between 
E  2 


W  ^In  Mdress  to  the  Clergy ,  and 

Ureso  the  skilful  workman  rightly  divides  the  word 
o(  truth,  and  gives  to  each  their  portion.  Now  let 
MS  suppose  that  many  in  a  congregation  consider 
iliemselves  saints,  when  in  reality  they  have  no 
claim  to  that  character,  how  awfully  dangerous 
must  be  their  situation  !  They  snatch  at  the  chil- 
dren's bread,  and  arc  completely  shielded  from  all 
that  would  have  a  tendency  to  alarm  them,  were 
they  conscious  of  their  true  situation.  Is  it  not 
ihen  an  imperative  duty  on  the  part  of  the  minister 
of  the  gospel  to  search  Jerusalem  as  with  lighted 
caodles,  and  try  to  find  out  such  as  have  become 
.sermon  proof?  It  cannot  be  so  very  difficult  a 
matter  for  a  scribe,  well  instructed,  and  under  the 
influence  of  the  Divine  Spirit  in  a  comfortable  de- 
gi*ee,  to  point  out  many  of  the  lurking  places,  where 
such  poor  deluded  mortals  are  covering  themselves, 
•and  saying,  "  I  shall  have  peace." 

We  have  often  witnessed  much  time  and  labour 
spent  in  pointing  out  particular  vices,  to  which, 
perhaps,  few,  if  any  who  were  present,  were  ad- 
dicted, and  tlie  dreadful  consequences  of  these  vice? 
plainly  declared.  We  have,  in  some  instances, 
thought  that  the  preacher's  strength  might  have 
been  more  profitably  employed  in  endeavoring  to 
persuade  all,  whether  moral  or  profane,  to  come  to 
tlie  sinner's  only  hope,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. — 
When  we  hear  ministers  dwell  so  long  on  gross 
and  particular  vices,  are  not  hearers  liable  to  infer 
that  all  who  are  not  chargeable  with  these,  are  in 
a  hopeful  state  ?  And  under  such  sermons,  we  are 
i^reatly  mistaken,  if,  the  carnal  heart  will  not  exult 
in  its  supposed  safety,  and  on  hearing  the  dreadful 
condition  of  the  openly  profane,  undoubtingly  con- 
clude that  they  should  ''thank  God  that  they  are 
not  like  other  men." 

We  have  been,  and,  perhaps,  still  arc  possessed 
of'  a  singular  notion  respecting  /lopes.     To   live 


Chrhtiajis  of  all  Denominations.        57 

without  hope  and  without  God  in  the  world  is  tru- 
ly dreadful  and  to  be  dreaded  ;  but  we  have  formed 
an  opinion  that  scarcely  any  thing  stands  more  in 
the  way  of  the  gospel,  than  this  general  or  fashion- 
able hope.  Like  those  described  by  theP  rophet 
Isaiah  Ivii.  10,  "  Thou  art  wearied  in  the  greatness 
of  thy  way  :  yet  saidst  thou  not,  there  is  no  hope  : 
thou  hast  found  the  life  of  thine  hand  ;  therefore 
thou  wast  not  grieved.''  Is  it  to  be  supposed  that 
carnal  men  could  remain  at  ease  and  careless  under 
a  faithful  ministry,  if  they  had  not  a  false  hope  ? — 
Most  assuredly  they  could  not.  And  if  we  were 
at  liberty  to  give  counsel  to  those  we  esteem  so 
much  our  superiors,  as  v/as  said  in  another  case — 
light  neither  with  small  nor  great  but  with  this 
soul-deluding  hope !  This  hope,  like  a  shield, 
quenches  all  the  arrows  shot  from  the  gospel  bow, 
and  nothing  but  the  power  of  Him  who  is  stronger 
than  the  strong  man  armed,  can  reduce  this  fortress 
of  the  carnal  heart. 

The  pious  Mr.  R.  Erskine  (than  whom,  wehave 
seldom  met  with  a  more  skilful  guide)  in  his  gos- 
pel sonnets — a  book  worthy  to  be  printed  in  letters 
of  gold — speaking  against  legal  preaching,  has  the 
following  sentiment : 

"  Much  rather  ought  we  in  God's  name  to  place 
His  great  artillery  straight  against  their  face, 
And  throw  hot  Sinai  thunder-bolts  around, 
To  burn  their  towering  hopes  down  to  the  ground ; 
For,  none  believe  in  Jesus  as  they  ought 
"Till  first  they  do  believe  they  can  do  nought, 
Nor  are  sufficient  e'en  to  form  a  thought. 
They're  conscious  in  the  right  believing  hour, 
Of  human  weakness  and  of  Divine  Power." 

We  would  here  take  tlie  liberty  of  recommend- 
ing this  much-neglected  book  to  all  seriously  dis- 
posed persons  ;  and,  especially  to  students  of  divi- 
nity, as  containing  a  fund  of  evangelical  and  practical 


58  All  Address  ta  the  Clergy,  and 

piety,  which  will  not  fail  to  compensate  the  pious 
reader  for  his  trouble,  and  may  afford  to  the  young 
preacher  a  useful  lesson  on  the  subject  of  his  du- 
ties, as  a  gospel  minister. 

As  an  instance  of  the  success  with  which  God  is 
pleased  to  crown  the  labors  of  his  faithful  ministers, 
we  gave  a  short  account  of  one  who  received  great 
benefit  from  the  writings  of  Edwards.  We  will 
now  mention  another  case,  recorded  in  the  Life  of 
Mr.  Flavel. — A  foppish  looking  gentlemen  called 
on  Mr.  Bolton  (Mr.  FlavePs  Bookseller)  to  in- 
quire for  a  play.  Mr.  B.  told  him,  he  kept  no 
such  books,  and  offered  him  Mr.  Flavels's  Treatise 
<  On  keeping  the  Heart,'  saying,  it  v/ould  do  him 
more  good  than  the  book  he  was  seeking.  The 
gentleman  spoke  of  it  as  the  work  of  some  fanatic, 
and  observed  if  he  took  it,  he  would  burn  it.  Mr. 
B.  then  said  he  should  not  have  it  but  on  condition 
of  reading  it,  and  if  after  having  read  it,  he  did  not 
like  it,  he  might  bring  it  back  and  he  would  pay 
him  his  money.  The  gentleman  promised  he 
would  read  the  book,  took  it  and  departed.  A  few 
weeks  afterwards  the  gentleman  returned  dressed 
in  a  different  habit,  and  with  a  grave  countenance 
addressed  Mr.  Bolton  thus  :  Sir,  I  have  reason  to 
bless  God  that  ever  I  came  into  your  house.  The 
book  has  saved  my  soul,  and  I  am  now  come  to 
purchase  a  number  of  copies  for  distribution. 

If  the  reader  should  prize  these  anecdotes  as 
liighly  as  some  others  have  done,  he  will  excuse 
the  addition  of  the  following :  The  surgeon  of  a 
ship  which  had  just  arrived  at  Dartmouth  (Mr. 
Flavel's  place  of  residence)  having  fallen  into  a 
state  of  melancholy,  was  led  by  the  power  of  the 
adversary,  to  make  an  attempt  upon  his  life,  by 
stabbing  himself  in  different  places  in  a  most  shock- 
ing manner.  The  wounds  on  examination  vrere 
supposed  to  be  mortal,  and  the  surgeon  who  was 


Christians  of  all  Denxominations.         ^^ 

called  in  to  dress  them,  had  no  hope  that  the  young 
man  would  long  survive  them.  He,  however, 
sewed  up  the  wounds,  and  to  the  utmost  of  his  skill 
performed  the  duties  of  his  profession.  Mr.  Fla- 
vel  was  sent  for,  and  introduced  to  the  young  man 
in  this  wretched  situation.  He  inquired  of  him 
what  his  prospects  were  in  the  near  approach  of 
death  ?  The  youth  replied  that  he  had  hope  in 
God.  Mr.  Flavel  observed  to  him  that  he  feared 
Ills  hopes  were  ill  founded,  and  pointed  out  to  him, 
the  evil  nature  of  sin,  and  particularly  the  sin 
which  he  had  just  perpetrated.  It  pleased  the  Lord 
to  make  use  of  this  his  faithful  servant  in  bringmg 
the  unhappy  youth  to  a  sense  of  his  guilt  and  dan- 
ger, and  he  was  brought  to  confess  himself  a  miser- 
able sinner  and  to  weep  bitterly.  Mr.  Flavel  then 
endeavoured  to  pour  the  oil  and  wine  of  gospel 
grace  into  his  wounded  spirit,  and  prayed  with  and 
for  him.  It  pleased  God  that,  contrary  to  all  hu- 
man expectations,  the  young  man  recovered.  Mr. 
Flavel  attended  him  often  during  his  confinement, 
and  was  the  happy  instrument  of  directing  him  to 
the  blessed  Jesus  whose  precious  blood  cleanseth 
from  all  sin,  however  great  and  aggravated. 

We  cannot  omit  another  remarkable  account  of 
this  man  of  God,  as  it  shews  he  had  power  to 
wrestle  with  God,  as  a  prince,  and  to  prevail.  On 
his  passage  from  Dartmouth  to  London,  in  company 
with  some  of  his  friends,  who  as  vvell  as  himself  were 
suffering  persecution  for  conscience  sake — they  were 
overtaken  with  a  mighty  tempest,  insomuch  that  the 
master  of  the  vessel,  informed  them  that  they  were 
in  the  utmost  danger;  the  vessel  being  tossed  about 
by  the  waves,  and  tlie  wind  driving  them  towards 
the  shore.  In  this  situation  Mr.  Flavel  invited  all 
who  could  be  spared  off  the  deck  to  unite  with  him 
in  prayer.  Accordingly  he  made  supplication 
with  strong  cries  to  Him  who  was  able  to  save  in 


60  ^In  ^'Iddress  to  the  Clergy^  and 

this  hour  of  peril ;  and  his  heart  was  greatly  eiT- 
larged,  and  his  confidence  in  God  greatly  strength- 
ened and  increased  in  the  performance  of  the  duty, 
and  after  committing  himself  and  companions  to  the 
care  and  mercy  of  God  he  concluded.  Upon  which 
one  came  running  to  the  cabin  door,  and  called 
aloud,  "  God  is  a  prayer -hearing  God.  The  wind 
has  become  fair,  and  we  are  now  sailing  before  it.'^ 
This  reader,  was  indeed  the  finger  of  God,  and  the 
account  should  increase  our  confidence  in  him. 

We  have  unquestionable  authority  for  believing 
that  the  writings  of  the  holy  Flavel,  have  been  ac- 
knowledged by  many  of  the  pious  settlers  of  Vir- 
ginia and  elsewhere,  to  have  been  the  means  of 
their  awakening  to  a  sense  of  the  importance  of 
religion.  0,  that  in  our  day  the  Lord  of  the  har- 
vest, would  raise  up  and  send  forth  many  such, 
skilful  and  faithful  labourers. 

Might  we  not,  both  ministers  and  people,  with 
humility  and  self  abasement,  inquire,  "  Where  is 
the  Lord  God  of  Elijah  ?"  Where  is  the  spirit 
and  zeal  of  our  fathers?  Are  we  not  below  their 
standard  '•  by  the  head  and  shoulders  ?''  And  is 
their  not  a  cause  ?  Yes,  verily  ;  "  we  have  forsa- 
ken the  God  of  our  Fathers,  and  hewn  out  to  our- 
selves cisterns,  broken  cisterns  that  can  hold  no 
water."  Let  us  then  humble  ourselves  under  the 
inighty  hand  of  God,  and  cry  mightily  unto  Him, 
and  who  knows  but  that  he  may  think  of  us  that 
we  perish  not.  Let  us  under  a  deep  sense  of  our 
remissness — of  our  criminal  neglect  of  the  God  of 
our  fathers,  invoke  the  aid  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

Is  it  not  the  case  with  many  ministers  and  pro- 
fessing christians,  that  although  they  profess  to  be- 
lieve the  Scriptures,  yet  as  to  any  special  agency 
of  the  Holy  Spirit  on  the  human  heart,  it  seems  to 
be  taken  for  granted,  that  all  such  expectations  are 
enthusiastic  and  vain  ?     Is  it  not  a  natural  conse- 


Clisislians  of  all  Denami7uiii(ms.       61 

(^uence,  that  under  the  influence  of  unbelief  and  in- 
sensibility, we  should  lay  aside  the  very  substance 
of  the  gospel  of  the  grace  of  God  ?  Is  it  wonder- 
ful, this  being  the  case,  that  we  should  travel  on 
through  a  dull  and  formal  round  of  religious  duties, 
and  feel  little  or  nothing  of  the  strengthening  and 
consolatory  power  of  religion  upon  our  hearts  ?  Is  it 
strange  under  these  unpropitious  circumstances,  that 
the  heralds  of  the  cioss  sliould  spend  their  strength 
in  vain?  That  they  should  labour  for  nought?  In 
reviewing  your  want  of  success,  will  ye  not,  0 
ye,  who  labour  for  souls,  weep  between  the  porcli 
and  the  altar,  saying,  "  Spare  thy  people  0  Lord, 
and  give  not  thy  heritnge  to  reproach."  And  to 
us  who  are  hearers  of  the  Gospel,  also  belongeth 
shame  and  confusion  of  face,  because  we  have  sin- 
ned and  have  not  improved,  as  was  our  duty,  this 
merciful  day  of  our  visitation. 

What  does  it  avail  us  to  read  of  the  long  list 
of  worthies,  whose  example  is  left  for  our  bene 
fit,  Heb.  xi. — "  who  through  faith  subdued  king- 
doms— wrought  righteousness — obtained  promises 
— stopped  the  mouth  of  lions — quenched  the 
violence  of  fire — escaped  the  edge  of  the  sword — - 
out  of  weakness  were  made  strong — waxed  valiant 
in  fight  and  turned  to  flight  the  armies  of  the  nliens" 
— if  we  are  not  to  be  animated  and  encouraged  by 
their  example,  and  have  not  good  ground  to  hope 
that  their  God  is  our  God  ;  and  that  his  power  and 
grace  are  as  ample  and  sufficient,  and  as  ready  to 
be  communicated  to  his  sufiering  people  now,  as  in 
former  days  !  We  may  not  now  be  tried  by  fire, 
nor  be  cast  into  the  lion's  den,  but  does  it  follow 
tlist  we  can  have  no  proof  of  the  power  and  grace 
of  God,  because  our  trials  appear  not  so  formida- 
ble to  flesh  and  blood  ?  We  think  not.  Who  that 
has  been  called  to  do  business  on  the  deep  and 
l5oisterous  waters  of  temptation,  but  ca*Q  s£^',  ^'  If  it 


$2  An^ddrtss  to  the  Clergy y  and 

had  not  been  the  Lord  who  was  on  our  side,  &c.  V^ 
If  under  heavy  trials  and  bereaving  dispensation?, 
the  christian  can  encourage  himself  in  God  and  re- 
joice in  him  as  the  God  of  his  salvation  when  all 
creature  comforts  are  cut  oflf,  saying  with  the  pious 
Newton, 

"  This  burning  bush  was  not  consum'd 
Because  the  Lord  was  there," 

may  he  not  be  a  witness  of  God^s  unchangable 
power  and  love  ?  We  are  aware  that  the  minds  of 
men  are  somewhat  differently  constituted,  and  that 
some  can  bear  the  shocks  of  adversity  with  more 
fortitude  than  others,  yet  we  believe  that  when  the 
SjOuI  is  led  to  cleave  to  God  under  bereavements, 
and  to  quietly  rest  upon  Him,  this  is  the  Lord's  do- 
ing, and  he  should  have  the  praise.  In  this  way 
how  many  have  had  cause  to  bless  God,  and  to  say, 
*'lt  was  good  for  me  that  I  was  afflicted/' 

If  the  preceding  reflections  be  correct,  how  great- 
ly mistaken  are  those  who  rest  satisfied  with  a 
mere  profession,  and  who  consider  an  attendance 
on  gospel  ordinances,  the  sum  and  substance  ot' 
their  duty  ?  And  how  liable  to  misconstruction  on 
their  own  part,  is  the  conduct  of  ministers,  wlio 
discover  much  zeal  to  persuade  their  hearers  to 
come  to  the  Lord's  Table,  without  taking  much 
pains  to  ascertain  whether  they  have  reason  to  hope 
they  have  previously  come  to  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  by  faith  ?  And  is  it  not  a  lamentable  truth 
that  when  once  a  religious  profession  is  made,  al- 
though the  person  previous  to  his  joining  himself 
to  the  people  of  God,  had  no  idea  of  any  change  of 
heart,  or  of  views,  yet  afterwards,  what  usually 
seems  to  be  implied  in  the  profession,  is,  usually, 
taken  for  granted  ;  and  if  the  Lord  prevent  not, 
the  poor  soul  settles  down  on  a  false  hope  whitH* 
must  at  lacst  psrish  with  its  possessor. 


Chr^tians  of  all  DenoTninutions.        63 

We  cannot  but  view  it  as  a  special  blessing  to 
any  congregation  to  have  a  pastor  whose  preaching 
tends  to  this  all-important — this  essential  point, 
namely  to  detect  the  hope  of  the  hypocrite.  The 
true  believer  will  derive  great  advantages  from 
close,  searching  preaching,  as  he  is  well  acquainted 
with  the  depths  of  deceit,  which  is  to  be  found  in 
the  human  heart,  and  receives  benefit  from  every 
new  discovery  of  it;  and  to  those  who  know  noth- 
ing of  religion  but  the  name,  this  preaching  is  in- 
dispensable. Their  salvation  depends  upon  thtir 
being  discovered  to  themseh^es  in  their  true  cha- 
racter ;  and  how  can  this  be  effected,  unless  the 
minister  shews  them  that  their  refuges  are  false, 
and  endeavours  to  apply  the  sword  of  the  spirit  to 
their  particular  case  ? 

We  would  now  attempt  to  furnish  some  of  those 
marks,  which,  from  Scripture,  observation  and  ex- 
perience, we  have  considered  to  be  indicative  of  a 
work  of  grace.  And  where  these  are  found,  en- 
couragement should  be  taken  to  follow  on  to  know 
the  Lord.  It  may  be  proper  to  premise  that  our 
remarks  are  made  with  reference  to  those  only, 
who  have  arrived  at  years  of  discretion,  and  who 
have  not  any  very  correct  views  of  religion,  or  any 
matured  dispositions  to  serve  and  glorify  God. — • 
We  will  also  state,  that  we  heartily  disapprove  of 
any  particular  mode  or  orderly  succession  of  reli- 
gious exercises,  as  a  test  by  which  we  are  to  form 
our  opinions  ;  such  a  test,  we  conceive,  wholly  un- 
warranted by  tlie  Holy  Scriptures  and  derogatorv 
to  the  sovereignty  of  that  God  who  worketh  aU 
things  after  the  counsel  of  his  own  will.  "  How 
unsearchable  are  his  judgments  and  his  ways  past 
finding  out.'' 

The  first  thing  we  shall  notice,  is,  that   religion 
is  not  a  mere  negative  quality  of  the  mind.     The 
supposing  that  religion  is  the  absence  of  certairi 
F 


64  *^n  t^ddress  to  the  Clergy^  and 

evil  notions  and  practices,  has  been  the  ground  oi 
deception  with  many  persons.  The  Pharisee^s  pi- 
ety was  chiefly  of  this  kind — "  God,  I  thank  thee 
that  /  am  not  as  other  men,  &c/''  Some  who  have 
received  a  religious  education,  and  been  preserved 
from  breaking  out  into  gross  sins  are  deceived  by 
this  negative  goodness,  and  very  often  this  circum- 
stance renders  their  case  more  dangerous  and  alarm- 
ing, as  they  are  ever  ready  to  say  with  the  young- 
man  in  the  gospel,  '^  All  these  have  I  kept  from  my 
youth  up, what  lack  I  yet?" 

In  the  second  place  it  may  be  noticed  that  the 
work  of  the  Spirit  in  its  first  and  indeed  in  its  sub- 
sequent operations,  has  respect  chiefly  to  inward, 
and  not  so  much  to  outward  things.  Converse 
with  the  poor  awakened  soul,  and  see  the  burdeu 
of  his  complaint.  Suppose  his  past  life,  to  have 
been  ever  so  regular  and  free  from  immoral  prac- 
tices, does  this  afford  him  a  foundation  on  which  to 
build?  Far  otherwise,  perhaps  he  sees  with  mucli 
grief  of  heart,  that  abominable  pride  and  hypocri- 
sy which  actuated  all  his  performances,  and  he  is 
now  convinced  that  the  God  with  whom  he  has  to 
do,  looketh  upon  the  heart,  and  cannot  be  deceiv- 
ed. Follow  him  to  his  places  of  retirement  (for 
he  will  be  found  in  secret  places,)  and  listen  to  the 
cause  of  his  grief,  and  you  shall  find  him  lamenting 
over  a  hard,  unbelieving,  and  therefore  a  wicked 
heart.  Often  in  this  stale,  it  may  be  that  not  even 
a  tear  can  be  produced  b}'  all  the  struggles  of  na- 
ture. And  the  awakened  sinner  knows,  as  assured- 
ly as  he  knows  his  own  existence,  that  it  is  not 
within  the  compass  of  his  power  to  believe  in  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  to  rest  upon  him  alone  for 
salvation.  No,  he  would  give  ten  thousand  worlds 
were  they  at  his  command,  to  obtain  this  precious 
gi-ace  He  finds  that  faith  is  the  gift  of  God,  and 
that  he  has  forfeited  all  right  and  title  to  his  favour. 


Christiayis  of  all  Deiiorainutions.         65 

But  the  word  of  the  Lord  informs  him,  that  Jesus 
is  exalted  a  Prince  and  a  Saviour,  to  give  repen- 
tance and  remission  of  sin.  This  promise  buoys  up 
his  drooping  spirits  and  encourages  his  hope.  At 
other  times  lie  may  be  tossed  between  hope  and 
fear  until  he  is  disposed  to  give  up  all  for  lost — it 
is  then  he  is  thoroughly  convinced  that  if  he  is 
ever  saved,  it  must  be  by  an  act  of  sovereign  grace 
through  the  mercy  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus.  Read- 
er, have  you  ever  known  any  thing  of  these  heart- 
breaking exercises  ?  If  you  have,  you  will  perceive 
that  this  description,  or  any  other  that  can  be  giv- 
en, comes  far  short  of  the  reality.  If  you  hav6 
not  experienced  these  things,  then  are  we  speaking 
to  you  in  a  language  which  you  do  not  understand. 

Again,  the  awakened  sinner  feels  conscious  that 
his  convictions  for  sin  and  penitent  distress,  are  not 
disproportioned  to  his  case.  And  this  impression 
is  often  so  strong,  that  he  even  grieves  and  laments 
in  language  like  this, 

'•  Such  grief  as  mine,  a  griefless  grief, 
Did  ever  any  mortal  share !" 

Another  trait  in  these  exercises,  and  what  fre- 
quently  distinguishes  them,  is,  a  fear  lest  his  con- 
victions should  wxar  off,  without  the  desired  end 
being  accomplished.  Alas !  when  we  see  men 
running  to  the  world  and  vain  amusements,  for  re- 
lief, with  the  arrows  of  conviction  sticking  fast  in 
them,  what  a  lamentable  spectacle  do  they  exhibit ! 

The  manslayer  under  the  law  has  appeared  to  us 
to  be  a  striking  emblem  of  the  awakened  sinner. — 
He  knew  it  was  not  enough  to  have  set  out  towards 
the  city  of  refuge — there  would  be  no  safety  until 
he  was  within  its  gates.  So  is  it  in  this  case,  all  re- 
liance upon  duties,  prayers,  &c.  must  be  abandon- 
ed. There  is  but  one  place  of  safety,  and  thither, 
all  the  desires  and  endeavours  of  the  poor  sinner 


66  An  Address  to  the  Clergy^  and 

are  directed.  "0,'^  said  David,  "that  some  one 
%vould  give  me  to  drink  of  the  water  of  the  well  of 
Bethlehem,  which  is  by  the  gate."  0,  saith  the 
poor,  longing,  weary  and  desponding  soul,  that  I 
could  believe  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  rest 
upon  him.  In  this  situation  it  is  worthy  of  re- 
mark, that  outward,  or  world])'  circumstances  make 
very  little  difference — one  only  excepted — that  is, 
if  the  immediate  connexions  of  the  person,  say  a 
father,  mother,  wife,  husband,  &c.  should  be  hos- 
tile to  this  work,  and  set  themselves  to  fight  against 
God — 0  how  dreadfiil  the  thought !  How  endan- 
gered are  these — let  all  such  know  assuredly,  that 
w^ithout  a  change  of  heart,  and  deep  and  bitter  re- 
pentance, "  the  hottest  hell  will  be  their  place." 

When  the  soul  is  under  conviction,  how  busy  is 
Satan,  if  haply  he  may  frustrate  the  birth  of  this 
man-child.  How  will  he  scatter  the  fiery  dart« 
and  often  set  the  poor  soul  all  on  flame  !  How  will 
he  suggest  to  the  imagination  (which  is  at  such  a 
time,  little  better  than  his  work-shop)  such  things 
as  will  make  the  soul  shudder  and  abhor  itself. — 
How  will  Satan  insinuate  that  to  read  the  word  of 
God  is  useless,  and  he  too  often  succeeds  in  discou- 
raging the  soul  from  attending  to  this  important  du- 
ty. Ye  who  have  been  made  to  feel  fiery  darts  of 
tiiis  wicked  adversary,  are  not  ignorant  of  his  de- 
vices. You  well  understand  what  it  is  to  be  in 
heaviness  through  manifold  temptations,  and  it  is 
your  duty  to  pray  for  such.  Surely  <*  ye  know  the 
heart  of  a  stranger,  seeing  ye  were  strangers  in  the 
land  of  Egypt." 

When  the  soul  is  sufficiently  humbled,  and  driv- 
en from  its  false  hopes,  and  when  that  great  idol  self- 
will,  with  its  attendants,  pride  and  self-conceit,  be- 
gin to  totter,  and  the  poor  self-condemned,  helpless 
creature  gives  up  all  for  lost,  and  is  brought  to  cry 
••'  save  Lord  or  I  perish,"  in  these  circumstances 


Christians  of  all  Denominations.        Ql 

the  sun  of  righteousness  arises  with  healing  in  his 
beams,  and  the  Lord  shews  himself  mighty  to  save. 
No  language  can  describe  the  sensations  of  the 
poor,  weary,  tempted  and  tossed  soul,  when  by 
faith  it  is  enabled  to  rest  on  the  blessed  Redeemer. 

"  Now  I  know  thy  promis'd  rest 
Can  compose  a  troubled  mind. 
You  that  weary  are  like  me, 
Hearken  to  the  gospel  call, 
To  the  ark  for  refuge  flee, 
Jesus  will  receive  you  all." 

We  have  never  been  inclined  to  favour  the  opin- 
ion, that  assurance  is  of  the  nature  of  faith,  or  that 
a  strong  confidence  in  the  safety  of  our  own  state, 
constitutes  the  highest  enjoyment  in  religion.  On 
the  contrary  we  believe  that  it  frequently  happens, 
that  under  the  most  pleasing  and  soul-satisfying 
views  of  gospel  truth  and  the  excellency  and  suita- 
bleness of  the  glorious  Redeemer,  the  soul  is  un- 
conscious of  any  appropriating  act  of  faith,  and  yet 
rejoices  with  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory, — 
It  is  not  our  design  to  exclude  a  due  regard  to  the 
recompense  of  revvard  to  which  Moses  had  respect, 
and  which  must  greatly  tend  to  the  encouragement 
of  the  suffering  and  afflicted  people  of  God,  under 
their  distresses;  but  does  it  follow  that  such  selfish 
considerations  must  necessarily  be  the  life  and 
spring  of  the  christian's  highest  enjoyments,  under 
the  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  the  love  of 
God  shed  abroad  in  the  heart.  We  were  almost 
ready  to  say  to  those  who  would  offer  us  such  mer- 
cenary comforts,  "  thy  money  perish." 

We  have  already  spoken  of  some  of  the  exercis- 
es of  the  awakened  sinner,  previous  to,  and  at  the 
time  of  his  receiving  Christ:  we  come  now  to  men- 
tion some  of  the  views  and  exercises  of  christian 
experience. 

F2 


o8  An  Address  to  the  Clergy,  and 

And  first,  we  say,  that  the  christian  has,  in  refer- 
<?nce  to  God  and  divine  things,  but  one  purpose  and 
aim.  Tliis  in  some  respects,  resembles  the  magne- 
tic needle,  which  may  in  a  variety  of  ways  be  drawn 
aside,  yet  its  principle  and  tendency  remain  the 
.'fame.  An  officer  who  exposes  his  life  in  the  ser- 
vice of  his  country,  and  who  has  no  interests  but 
in  subserviency  thereto,  may  nevertheless,  by  an 
unguarded  step  or  unwatchful  conduct,  be  surpriz- 
ed and  taken  prisoner.  Yet  although  he  may  have 
cause  to  censure  himself,  he  ma}'  have  no  cause 
whatever  of  self-reproach  on  account  of  his  want 
of  true  attachment  to  his  prince  or  country.  So  we 
conceive  is  the  case  of  the  humble  believer,  he  is 
-aware  of  his  own  weakness,  and  the  power  and 
irjalice  of  his  numerous  adversaries.  The  world, 
the  flesh,  and  the  devil,  constitute  a  truly  formida- 
ble resistance  to  his  progress  Zion-ward.  But  all 
tlie  opposition  he^  meets  with  from  without,  he  es- 
teems as  trivial,  compared  with  the  body  of  sin  and 
death  he  feels  within.  Here  is  the  fountain  of  the 
great  deep,  which,  though  broken  up,  never  ceases 
to  cast  forth  mire  and  dirt.  Alas  !  poor  trembling 
believer,  you  have  abundant  cause  to  groan,  being 
burdened.  Your  greatest  enemies  are  those  of  your 
own  house — your  own  heart;  and  no  prospect  of 
getting  a  comj)iete  deliverance  from  their  raging 
power:  well  may  you  say,  '^The  storm  would  cease 
could  I  but  cast  this  troublous  Jonah  overboard." 
But  this  you  cannot  do.  And  is  there  then  no 
hope?  "Tlianks  be  to  God  who  givcth  us  the  vic- 
tory through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 

But  there  is  another  ground  of  encouragement, 
♦Old  that  is,  "There  remaineth  a  rest  for  the  people 
of  God."  This  is  joyful  tidings  to  the  poor,  weary, 
war-worn  soldier;  he  is  hastening  to  a  kingdom 
prepnrcd  for  him,  "There  the  wicked  cease  from 
^•oubli ng,  and  the  weary  are  at  rest.     There  the 


Christians  of  all  Denominations.         69 

prisoners  rest  together,  they  hear  not  the  voice  of 
the  oppressor." 

Another  mark  of  true  religion  is,  it  seeketh  not 
its  own  profit  or  advantage  only.  Not  its  own  ho- 
nour, but  the  honour  of  God  and  the  advancement 
of  his  cause.  Men  of  the  world,  and  formalists  in 
religion,  can  look  with  complacency  on  whatever 
goes  not  beyond  their  own  standard  ;  but  speak  to 
them  of  things  which  would  imply  that  they  are 
defective,  and  you  will  look  in  vain  for  their  friend- 
ship and  approbation.  Perhaps  there  is  no  one  pas- 
sion of  the  human  breast  more  difficult  to  be  con- 
cealed than  envy  ;  who  indeed  can  stand  before  it  ? 
But  the  subjects  of  God's  grace  will  be  disposed  by 
it  to  esteem  others  better  tlian  themselves,  and  to 
rejoice  in  the  advancement  of  religion,  whoever 
God  may  honour  as  his  instruments. 

Another  effect  produced  by  religion  on  the  heart, 
is,  that  a  regular  and  constant  attendance  on  chris- 
tian duties,  without  feeling  more  or  less  of  the  pow- 
er and  presence  of  God  in  these  duties,  will  not 
satisfy  those  who  have  tasted  that  the  Lord  is  gra- 
cious. Whoever  can  be  contented  with  the  bare 
performance  of  religious  duties,  however  exact  and 
regularly  attended  to,  may  justly  conclude  that  he 
has  only  the  form  of  godliness  without  its  power. 
If  we  would  carefully  inquire,  in  our  calm  and  set- 
tled moments,  into  the  direction  and  bent  of  our 
thoughts  and  desires  when  they  are  freed  from  the 
influence  of  outward  attractions,  we  might  ascer- 
tain with  tolerable  precision,  what  manner  of  spirit 
we  are  of  Would  we  think  it  possible,  that  a  per- 
son who  has  experienced  the  evils  of  sin — is  aware 
of  tlie  power  and  subtlety  of  his  enemies — the  ne- 
cessity of  w^atchfulness,  and  especially,  the  inesti- 
mable privilege  of  praying  without  ceasing,  should 
not  frequentl}',  nay,  generally,  feel  his  thoughts  and 
desires  tending  towards  God  and  the  word  of  his 


70  Jin  Address  to  the,  Clergy,  and 

grace,  in  his  hours  of  retirement,  and  often  amidst 
the  busy  throng. 

If  we  may  judge  from  appearances,  we  are  ready 
to  conclude  that  there  are,  comparatively,  few  who 
think  or  believe  that  there  is  any  thing  in  religion 
which  is  known  and  enjoyed  by  the  christian  only; 
yet  the  scriptures  are  very  explicit  on  this  subject. 
"The  natural  man  receiveth  not  the  things  of  the 
Spirit  of  God,  neither  can  he  know  them,  because 
they  are  spiritually  discerned  ;  but  he  that  is  spi- 
ritual judgeth  all  things." 

The  near  affinity  into  which  modern  religion  has 
taken  the  world,  (since  the  world  refuses  to  em- 
brace religion,)  induces  those  who  wish  to  be  the 
friends  of  both,  to  conclude  that  the  connexion  may 
be  drawn  still  closer,  and  that  in  this  way  religion 
may  become  respectable  and  popular.  But  like 
Joab  in  the  case  of  Amassa,  though  the  vyorld  ma}^ 
put  on  an  aspect  friendly  to  religion,  and  say  "art 
thou  in  health  my  brother  ?"  yet  there  is  a  dagger 
concealed,  which  will  be  used  when  occasions  serve. 

We  might  proceed  to  enumerate  many  other 
marks  of  a  work  of  grace — such  as  love  to  the  bre- 
thren, growth  in  grace — hatred  of  sin,  &c.  but  our 
prescribed  limits  have  already  been  transcended. 
We  now  intreat  all,  who,  on  weighing  these  im- 
portant matters,  may  have  cause  to  doubt  the  truth 
and  reality  of  what  they  may  have  considered  their 
religious  experience,  to  reflect  on  the  danger  of  a 
mistake  in  a  work  of  so  much  importance,  and  to 
admit  the  light  of  conviction  which  may  shine  up- 
on their  minds.  If  we  have  heretofore  been  in 
error,  shall  we  still  pertinaciously  cling  to  our  de- 
lusions, and  refuse  to  let  them  go  ?  God  forbid. 
"  To  know  ourselves  diseased  is  half  our  cure.'' 
There  is  balm  in  Gilead,  and  a  skilful  Physician 
there,  for  all  who  are  sick  and  wounded ;  but  the 
whole  need  not  his  aid. 


Christians  of  all  DenoTninations.         71 

Cry  mightily  unto  God  for  the  aid  and  influence 
of  his  Holy  Spirit,  and  in  reference  to  this  impor- 
tant  point,  adopt  the  language  of  the  Psalmist, 
•^  Search  me  0  God,  and  know  my  heart,  try  me 
and  know  my  thoughts,  and  see  if  there  be  any 
wicked  way  in  me,  and  lead  me  in  the  way  ever- 
lasting." 


A 

PRACTICAL  ESSAY 
ON  THE  INFLUENCE 

OF   THE 


ON  THE  HEART. 


A 


PRACTICAL  ESSAY,  &c. 


If  the  truth  were  generally  received,  and  suit 
ably  felt  and  applied,  that  "All  have  sinned,  and 
come  short  of  the  glory  of  God,"  how  different 
would  be  our  views  and  apprehensions  of  the  gos- 
pel of  our  salvation  1 — How  daring  and  preposter- 
ous would  it  appear  for  a  rebellious  worm — a  con- 
demned sinner,  to  "  reply  against  God,"  and  call 
in  question  his  right  to  the  government  of  the  uni- 
verse. Wc  would  at  once  see  the  unreasonableness 
and  absurdity  of  "  the  thing  formed  saying  to  him 
that  formed  it,  why  hast  thou  made  me  thus?" 

The  sin  which  hurled  from  their  seats  the  angels 
who  fell,  was  pride  and  rebellion  against  their  right- 
ful sovereign  ;  and  one  of  the  fatal  baits  which  the 
Tempter  so  alluringly  and  successfully  displayed  to 
our  first  parents,  was,  "ye  shall  be  as  Gods."  And 
may  v^^e  not  assert,  that  it  must  appear  obvious  to 
every  observing  mind,  that  the  general  tendency 
of  the  human  heart,  in  its  natural  estate,  is  in  direct 
opposition  to  the  law  and  government  of  God — as 
saith  the  apostle,  "  The  carnal  mind  is  enmity 
sigainst  God,  it  is  not  subject  to  his  law,  neither 
indeed  can  be." 

The  mind  of  an  unrenewed  man  resembles  the 
World  in  its  chaotic  state ;  and  it  may  therefore  be 
said  with  truth,  "  That  darkness  covers  the  fac&  of 
this  great  deep,"  and  before  any  saving  change  can 
be  effected,  "  He  that  commanded  the  light  to  shine 
out  of  darkness,  must  shine  into  the  heart,  to  give 


74  Ji  Practical  E&iay  on  the 

the  light  of  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of  God  in 
the  face  of  Jesus  Christ." 

The  Holy  Spirit,  the  third  person  in  the  adora- 
ble Trinity,  is  the  blessed  agent  in  preparing  the 
heart  of  a  sinner  for  the  reception  and  application 
of  the  grace  of  the  gospel :  and  to  point  out  some 
of  the  effects  of  his  operation  on  the  heart,  is  the 
principal  design  of  the  present  Essay. 

The  first  effect  we  notice,  is.  Consideration. 
Nothing  is  more  evident,  than  the  thoughtless  in- 
consideration  which  marks  the  character  and  con- 
duct of  mankind  generally,  and  especially  of  youth. 
— Hurried  along  by  a  desire  to  gratify  their  senses. 
and  in  constant  expectation  of  the  full  fruition  of 
some  fancied  enjoyment,  the  language  of  their 
hearts  and  of  all  their  pursuits  is,  "  Who  will  shew 
us  any  (earthly)  good.'' 

In  this  mad  career  they  practically  say,  ••  There 
is  no  God  :"  and  not  unfrequently  is  it  answered. 
"We  desire  not  the  knowledge  of  his  ways.''  At 
certain  times  the  more  bold  and  daring  even  ven- 
ture insultingly  to  enquire,  "Who  is  the  Lord,  thai 
\ve  should  obey  his  voice  ?"  and  of  the  best  in  an 
unrenewed  state,  it  must  be  said,  they  arc  "Loveri^ 
of  pleasure  more  than  lovers  of  God" — ••'  they  mind 
earthly  things" — "their  hearts  are  not  [therefore] 
right  in  the  sight  of  God."  Again,  we  read  in  the 
sacred  scriptures,  that  there  are  those,  who,  having.- 
a  form  of  godliness  deny  the  power  thereof.-^ 
Who,  having  a  name  to  live,  are  dead. — Who  say,. 
"peace,  peace,  when  there  is  no  peace."  Some  ot 
the  means  by  which  the  sinner  is  usually  brought 
seriously  to  consider  his  ways,  are  the  following : 

First,  The  Holy  Spirit,  by  the  instrumentalit) 
of  the  word,  ushers  a  ray  of  Divine  light  into  th^ 
dark  mind,  whereby  the  poor  sinner  begins  to  have 
some  imperfect  apprehensions  of  the  general  truths 
of  the  gospel,  and  perhaps  his  attention  is  at  first 


A  Practical  Essay  on  the  75 

drawn  to  some  sin  which,  like  Lucifer  among  the 
fallen  angels,  appears  above  all  the  rest. — Fear,  the 
concommitant  of  guilt,  assails  his  mind,  and  con- 
science, perhaps  hitherto  unnoticed  or  unknown, 
confirms  the  painful  accusation,  and  points  out  a 
long  and  black  catalogue  of  sins  of  youth  and  of 
riper  days,  which  seem,  like  the  blood  of  Abel,  to 
cry  aloud  for  vengeance.  Here  a  serious  pause 
ensues.  Let  but  a  man  be  brought  thus  to  see  him- 
self and  thus  to  consider  his  ways,  and  what  an  al- 
teration is  manifest  in  his  whole  deportment! — All 
lightness,  frothiness,  and  levity  now  ceases. — He 
sees  and  feels  that  it  is  indeed  an  evil  and  a  bitter 
thing  to  sin  against  the  living  God.  His  thoughts 
settle  down  to  seriousness,  and  his  meditations  fix 
upon  his  deplorable  and  miserable  estate;  and  as 
yet  his  case  seems  scarcely  to  admit  of  a  ray  of 
hope.  In  this  condition,  it  often  happens  that  he 
is  assailed  by  the  enemy  of  souls,  and  not  unfre- 
quently  by  his  carnal  friends,  who  endeavour  to 
dissuade  him  from  indulging  in  this  melanchoh 
mood,  and  to  be  persuaded  to  shake  off  all  serious 
reflexion,  and  to  cherish  other  thoughts,  and  in- 
dulge in  the  amusements  and  levities  of  a  thought- 
less world. — Here  indeed  is  an  interesting  point  in 
the  life  of  a  sinner;  but,  where  the  work  is  of  God, 
and  its  efiects  in  conformity,  the  Holy  Spirit  di- 
rects the  attention  of  the  convinced  sinner  to  the 
extent  and  purity  of  the  divine  law  and  its  awful 
penalty.  He  now  resolves  that  he  will  betake  him- 
self to  all  the  duties  it  enjoins,  and  virtually  says 
to  his  maker  "  Have  patience  with  me,  and  I  will 
pay  thee  all !"  But  here  a  serious  difliculty  inter- 
venes— he  finds  his  heart  w^holly  ungovernable,  and 
his  duties  so  dull  and  formal,  that  he  can  scarcel} 
bear  with  them  himself;  besides,  he  finds  his  heart 
instead  of  growing  more  soft,  submissive,  and  obe- 
dient, is  oTOwinc:  worse  and  worse;  and  even  Y\\^ 
''      G 


76  Influence,  of  the  Holy  Spiyit 

convictions,  which  he  once  thought  indications  ol 
something  favourable^  (at  least  in  hope,)  seem  now 
to  have  nearly  vanished,  like  tlie  morning  cloud 
and  early  dew,  and  he  is  placed  in  circumstances 
in  which  his  prospects  darken  every  hour. — He  is 
now  ready  to  say  with  Job,  "  I  go  forward  but  he 
is  not  there,  and  backward  but  I  cannot  perceive 
him — 0  that  I  knew  where  I  might  find  him,  that 
I  might  come  even  to  his  scat." 

In  this  situation  how  important  is  a  faithful  spi- 
ritual guide — one  who  knows  how  to  speak  a  word 
in  season  to  him  that  is  weary,  and  yet  will  not  daub 
with  untcmpered  mortar — a  workman  who  knows 
how  to  divide  aright  the  word  of  truth.  The  poor 
awakened  sinner  now  is  brought  to  a  sense  of  his 
misery  and  impotency,  and  he  now"  opens  his  mouth 
in  strong  voices  and  with  many  tears,  for  grace  and 
pardon ;  but,  it  may  be,  he  has  conceived  an  idea 
that  his  prayers  and  tears  must  necessarily  obtain 
the  divine  favour  and  blessing,  and  he  thinks  his 
duties  must  bind  Jehovah  ;  because  it  is  written-, 
^^  Seek  and  ye  shall  find.*'  But  here  he  finds  no 
resting  place,  because  he  reads  that  '^Without  faith 
it  is  impossible  to  please  God'^ — and  faith  he  has 
none,  for  the  Holy  Spirit  convinces  him  of  unbe- 
lief, which,  until  now,  he  had  entirely  overlooked 
and  neglected  as  forming  any  part  of  his  heavy 
score.  Now  he  is  led  to  cry  for  faith,  and  to  ei> 
quire  what  is  faith,  and  how  shall  I  obtain  this  all* 
important  grace?  Where  the  work  is  genuine,  the 
soul  is  now  stirred  up  to  great  jealousy  and  alarm 
for  a  successful  rather  than  an  immediate  issue  to 
its  troubles,  and  led  to  examine  every  thing  which 
is  susceptible  of  being  counterfeited,  with  the  strict- 
est scrutiny.  The  Lord  Jesus  appears  now  the  on- 
ly hope,  but  how  shall  the  poor  withered  arm  lay 
hold  on  his  righteousness.^  Will  the  Saviour  look 
tipon  such  an  unworthy  wretch.^ 


Influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  77 

There  are,  doubtless,  a  great  variety  of  degrees 
m  the  depth  and  pungency  of  the  convictions  of 
sinners  ;  but,  that  all  are  made  sensible  of  their 
ruined  estate,  and  brought  to  a  just  abhorrence  of 
sin,  and  of  themselves  on  account  thereof,  is  mani- 
fest from  scripture  and  experience.  Nor  is  it  at  all 
to  be  wondered  at  that  the  soul  av/akened  to  a  sense 
of  its  vileness  and  the  hateful  nature  of  sin,  should 
feel  it  extremely  difficult  to  derive  any  comfort  from 
the  offers  of  the  gospel. — It  is  often  the  case,  that 
there  is  no  doubt  entertained  of  the  truth  and  sin- 
cerity of  gospel  overtures,  nor  of  the  sufficiency  of 
the  atonement  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  and  his  abi- 
lity to  save,  but  then,  the  soul  looks  back  upon  its 
sins  under  all  their  aggravating  circumstances,  and 
looks  inward  upon  itself  and  sees  nothing  but  pol- 
lution, and  then  virtually  says  with  Peter,  "  De- 
part from  me,  for  I  am  a  sinful  man,  O  Lord."— 
The  soul  in  this  case,  cannot  yet  see  how  God  can 
be  just  and  yet  the  justifier  of  the  ungodly  ;  but 
under  all  its  discouragements  and  conflicts,  there 
is  still  an  anxious  solicitude  to  obtain  solid  rest. — ■ 
Never,  indeed,  did  the  hireling  more  earnestly  de- 
sire the  shadow,  nor  the  tempest-tossed  mariner  a 
haven  of  safety,  than  the  convinced,  heavy  laden 
sinner  now  longs  for  a  saving  union  to  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  by  faith. — Let  those  who  have  found 
it  easy  to  enter  in  at  the  straight  gate  by  profession 
only,  talk  lightly  of  the  deep  and  soul-humbling 
exercises  of  convinced  sinners,  and  charge  them 
with  that  most  dreadful  crime,  enthusiasm,  we  be- 
lieve none  who  have  "known  the  heart  of  a  con- 
vinced sinner"  will  speak  lightly  of  this  matter. 

The  awakened  sinner,  Vv'e  may  now  suppose,  has 
become  in  some  good  degree  acquainted  with  the 
truths  of  the  gospel,  and  the  plan  of  salvation 
through  a  redeemer ;  he  is  also  frequent  in  the 
performance  of  religious  duties,  and  by  comparing 


7S  *i  Practical  Essay  on  the 

his  religious  exercises  with  those  of  some  profess- 
ing christians,  he  may  be  led  to  place  some  confi- 
dence in  these,  and  even  derive  some  comfort  from 
them  ;  but  after  all  the  bed  is  too  short  and  the  co- 
vering too  narrow — sin  revives,  the  heart  becomes 
callous ;  religious  duties  appear  but  as  a  dead  sacri- 
fice, and  the  sinner  is  now  at  his  wit's  end,  and 
constrained  to  cry  out  with  Peter,  when  sinking 
beneath  the  waters,  "  Save,  Lord,  or  I  perish." 
When  the  poor  sinner  is  thus  reduced  to  an  uncon- 
ditional surrender  of  himself,  and  finds  that  he  is 
as  helpless  as  he  is  miserable,  it  is  usually  then  tiiat 
he  finds 

"  The  Mount  of  Danger  is  the  place 
"  Where  God  displays  surprizing  grace." 

it  is  then,  that  in  reading  the  holy  scriptures,  or, 
perhaps  some  pious  book,  in  meditation  or  in  pray- 
er, the  poor,  weary,  heavy-laden  sinner  is  strength- 
ened to  cast  a  longing  look  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
and  discovering  his  suitableness  and  excellency,  he 
accepts  of  him  as  offered  in  the  gospel,  as  all  his 
salvation  and  all  his  desire — as  the  chief  among  ten 
thousand,  and  one  altogether  lovely. — All  this  may 
take  place,  and  yet  the  soul  may  be  unconscious  of 
its  personal  interest  in  the  Saviour,  and  as  the  pious 
and  discerning  president  Edwards  has  justly  stated, 
"  The  soul,  at  such  a  season,  would  count  it  a  great 
loss  and  privation  to  take  off  its  thoughts  and  de- 
sires from  the  supreme  object  of  its  love,  to  calcu- 
late its  own  personal  interest  or  advantage."  That 
the  desires  of  the  soul  in  its  first  acceptance  of,  and 
union  to,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  in  all  subse- 
quent seasons  of  communion  with  him,  is  essential- 
ly diffcn-ent,  and  originates  in  an  entirely  different 
source  from  those  desires  which  are  sordid,  selfish, 
and  common  to  men  in  their  natural  state,  we  have 
not  the  shadow  of  a  doubt. — Even  heathen  morali- 


Influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  ^D 

ty  reprobates  those  pretensions  to  friendship  which 
are  founded  upon  interested  motives,  and  the  justly- 
admired  author  of  the  Night  Thoughts  inquires, 
"  Can  gold  huy  friendship  ?  impudence  of  hope  !'' 
If  we  possess  any  genuine  love  to  a  friend,  it  must 
be  for  something  which  w€  discover  amiable  or  love- 
ly, entirely  distinct  from  any  good  which  we  expect 
to  derive  from  him  ;  but  if  that  friend  should  prove 
not  only  amiable,  but  also  should  rescue  us  from 
misery  and  bondage,  and  become  our  benefactor, 
then  indeed,  our  gratitude  would  be  excited,  and 
our  obligations  increased.  It  will  easily  be  perceiv- 
ed that  love  and  gratitude,  although  often  united, 
are  yet  different  and  distinct  affections,  and  we  can 
readily  conceive  of  feeling  gratitude  to  a  benefac- 
tor whose  character  so  essentially  differs  from  what 
we  approve,  that  we  cannot  cherish  a  love  of  coni' 
placency  towards  him. — The  soul,  however,  tha\, 
has  fled  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  for  refuge,  and 
felt  the  powerful  attractions  of  his  love,  discovers 
itself  bound  by  every  possible  obligation  to  love 
good  works.  Yes,  the  love  of  Christ  constrains 
the  believer,  to  a  cheerful  and  v/illitig  obedience, 
and  he  no  longer  desires  to  live  to  himself,  but  to 
God — and  having  professed  a  good  profession  be- 
fore many  witnesses,  he  desires  to  adorn  the  doe- 
trine  of  God  his  Saviour  by  a  holy  life — old  things 
in  him  and  to  him  are  done  away,  and  all  things 
become  new.  His  purposes  and  aim  are  fixed,  and 
whatever  changes  he  may  experience  and  pass 
through,  these  never  change : — his  chief  end  and 
design  is  to  glorify  God,  and  his  prev^ailing  desire 
to  attain  conformity  to  his  image.  Sin  has  now 
become  his  heaviest  burthen,  and  whatever  trials 
and  afflictions  of  a  worldly  nature  he  may  be  called 
to  in  this  life,  he  can  say  in  reference  to  them,  they 
are  light  afflictions  when  compared  with  the  evils 
which  result  from  the  remains  of  sin  and  unbelief, 
G2 


60-  t^  Practical  Essays  ^-c. 

under  which  he  is  still  constrained  to  g:roan.  The 
christian  life  is  justly  termed  a  warfare,  and  the 
duties  of  a  soldier  strongly  characterize  the  follow- 
ers of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  No  man  that  war- 
reth,  saith  the  apostle,  entangleth  himself  with  the 
affairs  of  this  life,  that  he  may  please  him  who 
hath  chosen  him  to  be  a  soldier: — and  the  christian 
must  beware  how  he  permits  his  affections  to  be 
drawn  off  from  the  grand  business  of  his  life,  that 
is,  to  do  and  to  suffer  the  will  of  his  divine  master, 
lest  he  become  weary  and  faint  in  his  mind. — The 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  the  great  captain  of  our  salva- 
tion, and  we  are  directed  to  look  to  him  as  the  au- 
tlior  and  finisher  of  faith.  Could  the  christian  but 
keep  his  eye  steadfastl)^  fixed  upon  him,  and  pre- 
serve his  affections  from  an  inordinate  attachment 
to  all  beside,  what  peace  would  he  possess,  how 
many  evils  would  he  shun. 

[This  was  to  have  been  continued* } 

•^"Thesa  are  the  words  of  the  Author. 


SERIOUS  HINTS 


TO  LOUD  AND  ALARMING 


PREACHERS  OF  THE  GOSPEL; 


RECOMMENDED  TO  THE  PERUSAL 

OF   THE 

ORDERLY  AND  REGULAR 
OF  ALL  DENOMINATIONS. 


These  that  have  turned  the  world  upside  down,  are  come  hither 
also.    Acts  xvii.  6. 


SERIOUS  HINTS 

TO 

LOUD  AND  ALARMING  PREACHERS,  &c. 


It  was  the  command  of  our  blessed  Saviour  to 
his  disciples,  "  Go  ye  into  all  the  world  and  preach 
the  gospel  to  every  creature,  he  that  believeth  and 
is  baptized  shall  be  saved,  but  he  that  believeth 
not  shall  be  damned.''  Mark  xvi.  15,  16.  From 
this  and  other  passages  of  the  sacred  scriptures,  we 
infer,  that  all  mankind  by  nature,  are  in  a  ruined 
estate  :  children  of  wrath  and  heirs  of  perdition. 
Second,  We  infer  that  the  preachiug  of  the  gospel, 
being  the  ordinance  of  God,  and  the  grand  mean 
appointed  by  infinite  wisdom  for  the  salvation  and 
recovery  of  lost  sinners,  it  is  of  the  greatest  im- 
portance that  those  who  are  called  to  this  office 
should  faithfully  discharge  the  duties  of  their  high 
vocation.  Third,  That  the  scriptures  represent,  and 
experience  and  observation  abundantly  testify,  that 
whatever  men  may  assent  to  in  theory,  the  great 
mass  of  mankind  do  not  believe  the  declarations  of 
God's  word,  in  reference  to  their  own  case  as  indi- 
viduals. Mankind  are  generally,  as  to  their  spiri- 
tual concerns,  asleep,  blind,  deaf,  nay,  dead  :  so 
that  multitudes  under  the  blaze  of  gospel  light,  with 
which  we  are  favoured,  remain  ^s  insensible  of 
their  danger,  as  if  they  believed  the  gospel  to  be  a 
cunningly  devised  fable.  Under  these  circumstan- 
ces, what  is  the  duty  of  a  faithful  and  wise  minis- 
ter of  Christ?  can  it  be  to  look  on  with  indif- 
ference and  see  the  thoughtless,  careless  multitude 
crowding  with  rapid  pace  the  downward  road  !     Is 


84  Serious  Hints  to  Loud 

it  possible  for  him  who  has  been  taught  by  experi- 
ence the  absolute  necessity  of  a  change  of  heart 
and  of  disposition,  and  the  value  of  an  immortal 
soul,  to  remain  unaffected  and  unmoved  while  he 
views  the  wretched  and  calamitous  estate  of  multi- 
tudes whom  he  is  called  to  address — can  he  do  less 
than  "cry  aloud,  and  spare  not?" — can  he  do  less 
than  warn  such  as  he  is  unable  to  persuade  ? — can 
he  do  less  than  draw  the  bow  at  a  venture,  while 
his  earnest  prayer  is,  that  God  will  direct  the  arrow 
of  conviction  to  the  sinner's  heart?  For  doing  less* 
than  this,  a  minister  could  offer  no  excuse — for  do- 
ing more,  he  needs  no  apology. 

First.  We  inquire,  is  it  the  duty  of  the  preach- 
ers of  the  gospel  to  cry  aloud  and  sound  the  alarm  ? 
Consider  the  following  passages  : — 

"  To  the  law  and  to  the  testimony  :  if  they  speak 
not  according  to  this  word,  it  is  because  there  is  no 
light  in  them."     Isaiah  viii.  20. 

"  All  scripture  is  given  by  inspiration  of  God 
and  is  profitable  for  doctrine,  for  reproof,  for  cor- 
i^ction,  for  instruction  in  righteousness;  that  the 
man  of  God  may  be  perfect,  thoroughly  furnished 
unto  all  good  works."     2  Timothy  iii.  16,17. 

"  0  son  of  man  I  have  set  thee  a  watchman  unto 
the  house  of  Israel,  therefore  thou  shalt  hear  the 
word  at  my  mouth  and  warn  them  from  me.  When 
1  say  unto  the  wicked,  0  wicked  man,  thou  shalt 
surely  die  ;  if  thou  dost  not  speak  to  warn  the  wick- 
ed from  his  way,  that  wicked  man  shall  die  in  his 
iniquity  ;  but  his  blood  will  I  require  at  thine  hand 
— nevertheless,  if  Ihou  warn  the  wicked  of  his  way 
to  turn  from  it,  if  he  do  not  turn  from  his  way,  he 
shall  die  in  his  iniquity,  but  thou  hast  delivered  thy 
soul."     Ezekiel  xxiii.  7,  8,  9. 

"Cry  aloud,  spare  not,  lift  up  thy  voice  like  a 
trumpet,  and  shew  my  people  their  transgression, 
and  the  house  of  Jacob  their  sins."    Isaiah  Iviii.  1. 


And  Alarming  Preachers,  85 

"  Therefore  watch  and  remember,  that  by  the 
space  of  three  years  I  ceased  not  to  warn  every  one 
night  and  day  with  tears."     Acts  xx.  31. 

*'  I  charge  thee,  therefore,  before  God  and  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  who  shall  judge  the  quick  and 
the  dead  at  his  appearing  and  his  kingdom,  preach 
the  word,  be  instant  in  season,  out  of  season  ;  re- 
prove, rebuke,  exhort  with  all  long  suffering  and 
doctrine."     2  Timothy  iv.  1,  2. 

Contrast  with  the  foreoroins:,  the  followine: 
scriptures : — 

"And  the  serpent  said  unto  the  woman,  ye  shall 
not  surely  die."     Genesis  iii.  4. 

"  They  have  healed  also  the  hurt  of  the  daughter 
of  my  people  slightly,  saying  peace,  peace,  when 
there  is  no  peace."     Jeremiah  vi.  14. 

"  Because,  even  because  they  have  seduced  my 
people,  saying  peace  and  there  was  no  peace,  and 
one  built  up  a  wall,  and  lo!  others  daubed  it  with 
untempered  mortar."  Ezekiel  xiii.  10. 

"Because  with  lies  ye  have  made  the  heart  of 
the  righteous  sad,  whom  I  have  not  made  sad,  and 
strengthened  the  hands  of  the  wicked  tliat  he  should 
not  return  from  his  wicked  way  by  promising  him 
life."    ihid.  xiii.  22. 

What  important  considerations  may  not  that 
saying  of  the  apostle  lead  to  ?  2  Cor.  iv.  7,  "  But 
we  have  this  treasure  in  earthen  vessels."  What 
treasure  does  the  apostle  here  refer  to?  Doubtless 
the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ  in  the  free  offers 
of  the  gospel.  0  ye  servants  of  the  most  high  God, 
who  shew  unto  us  the  way  of  salvation,  rem.ember 
that  divine  injunction,  "  freely  ye  have  received, 
freely  give."  What  would  be  our  sentiments  of  a 
person  who  possessed  an  inexhaustible  treasure, 
commited  to  him  for  gratuitous  distribution,  if  he 
were  to  fold  it  up  in  a  napkin;  or  hide  it  in  the 
earth.     Would  he  not,  if  possessed  of  the  smallest 


86  Serious  Hints  to  Loud 

portion  of  benevolence,  rather  "  search  out  the 
cause  which  he  knew  not,"  and  save  the  starving 
millions  from  utter  ruin.  And  may  we  not  with 
propriety,  and  with  an  assurance  of  success,  say  to 
every  pious  minister,  "  go  thou  and  do  likewise.'^ 

Second.  We  next  enquire,  does  the  state  of  the 
hearers  of  the  gospel  require  that  ministers  should 
endeavour  to  alarm  their  fears  ? 

We  know  of  no  principle  in  fallen  man,  in  his 
carnal  and  unregenerate  state,  by  which  he  can  be 
actuated  in  the  concerns  of  his  soul,  but  fear,  or  a 
sense  of  the  danger  of  his  present  condition.  If 
the  carnal  mind  be  enmity  against  God,  as  is  evi- 
dent both  from  scripture  and  experience,  then  sure- 
ly none  will  pretend  that  love  to  God  can  possibly 
exist  where  such  a  contrary  principle  predomi- 
nates. Two  cannot  walk  together  except  they  are 
agreed — "  since  God  or  man  must  alter,  ere  they 
meet,  'tis  evident  Lorenzo  who  must  change."  We 
fmd  throughout  the  scriptures  of  the  Old  and  ^Q^cw 
Testament,  this  sentiment  is  recognized.  Even 
Noah,  moved  with  fear,  built  an  ark  to  the  saving  of 
iiis  house.  The  whole  need  not  a  physician,  but 
those  that  are  sick — that  is,  none  will  apply  to  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  for  pardoning  and  sanctifying 
grace,  but  those  who  are  convinced  that  they  arc  in- 
fected with  the  dangerous  malady  of  sin.  The  law 
was  our  schoolmaster,  saith  the  apostle  to  bring  us 
to  Christ :  and  in  what  manner  but  by  threats  of 
punishment  for  every  non-compliance  with  its  pre- 
cepts, representing  the  necessity  of  another,  a  bet- 
ter righteousness  ?  But  we  pass  on  to  the  conduct 
and  language  of  Him  who  spake  as  never  man 
spake.  In  what  severe  language  does  he  address 
the  Pharisees  ?  "  Ye  serpents,  ye  generation  of  vi- 
pers !  how  can  ye  escape  the  damnation  of  hell  ?' ' 
Matt,  xxiii.  33. 


%^nd  Planning  Preachers^  8ft 

«Ye  shall  receive  the  greater  damnation." — 
Matt  xxiii.  14. 

"  There  were  present  at  that  season,  some  that 
told  Jesus  of  the  Galileans  whose  blood  Pilate  had 
mingled  with  their  sacrifices.  And  Jesus  answer- 
ing said  unto  them,  suppose  ye  that  these  Galileans 
were  sinners  above  all  the  Galileans,  because  they 
suffered  such  things?  I  tell  you  nay,  but  ex- 
cept ye  repent,  ye  shall  all  likewise  perish.'' — 
Luke  xiii.  1 — 23. 

"  Knowing  therefore  the  terror  of  the  Lord  we 
persuade  men."     2  Cor.  5 — 11. 

"  Repent  therefore  of  this  thy  wickedness,  and 
pray  God,  if  perhaps  the  thought  of  thine  heart  may 
be  forgiven  thee,  for  I  perceive  that  thou  art  in  the 
gall  of  bitterness  and  in  the  bond  of  iniquity.'-  — 
Acts  viii.  22,23. 

Is  it  possible  that  any  person  who  professes  the 
religion  of  the  Bible,  can  suppose  that  the  faithful 
ministers  of  the  gospel,  who  feel  the  constraining 
love  of  Jesus,  and  the  inestimable  value  of  immor- 
tal souls  can  do  otherwise  than  "Cry  aloud  and 
spare  not  ?"  It  must  be  the  determination  of  every 
faithful  minister  to  know  nothing  among  his  hear- 
ers "but  Jesus  Christ  and  him  crucified,"  and 
this  will  necessarily  lead  to  a  willingness  to  spend 
and  be  spent  in  the  glorious  work  of  the  ministry. 
*'  They  that  turn  many  to  righteousness  shall  shine 
as  the  stars  for  ever  and  ever." 

Our  MzVc^ inquiry  will  be,  whether  the  scriptures 
©f  truth  authorize  and  justify  the  alarming  and  im- 
portunate calls  of  ministers  to  their  hearers  to  re- 
pent and  turn  to  God? 

The  preaching  of  the  word  is  the  ordinance  of 
God,  "It  pleased  God,  saith  the  apostle,  by  the 
foolishness  of  preaching,  to  save  them  that  be- 
lieve."  1  Cor.  i.  21.  The  time  for  calling  sinner^ 
home  to  God,  is  ih^  present  time,  "  Behold  now 
H 


6%  Serious  Hints  to  Loud 

is  the  accepted  time  ;  behold  now  is  the  day  of  sal- 
vation— to-day  if  ye  will  hear  his  voice  harden  not 
your  hearts."     The  apostle  saith,  "neither  count  I 
rny  life  dear  unto  myself,  so  that  I  might  finish  my 
course  with  joy,  and  the  ministry  which  I  have  re- 
ceived of  the  Lord  Jesus,  to  testify  the  gospel  of 
the  grace  of  God."     Shall  the  minister  then,  who 
stands,  as  it  were,  between  the  living  and  the  dead 
• — shall  he  not  speak  as  a  dying  man  to  dying 
inen  ?      Shall   he    feel  no  bowels   of  compassion 
yearning  over  those  who  are  covered  with  the  le- 
prosy of  sin,  and  yet,  see  not,  hear  not,  and  under- 
stand  not  the  gospel  remedy  ;  but  are   saying,   I 
shall  have  peace  though  I  walk  after  the  imagina- 
tion of  my  own  heart  ?     Shall  the  messenger  of 
the  glad  tidings  of  good-will  to  man — of  pardon 
through  the  blood  of  Jesus,  to  the  chief  of  sinners 
— shall  he  not  be  affected  at  the  rejection  of  this 
gracious  overture  ?     INIay  not  the  pious,  zealous^ 
and  compassionate  minister  be  excused,  if  he  ad- 
dresses himself  to  his  drowsy  or  sleeping  hearers 
in  the  language  of  the  affrighted  and  panic  struck 
mariners  to  Jonah,  "What  meanest  thou  0  sleeper  'f 
arise,  call  upon  thy  God  !"  Does  he  need  an  apolo- 
gy for  attempting  to  pluck  a  brand  out  of  the  burn- 
ing, and  to   save  a  soul  from  death  ?     Nay,  rather 
let  all  who  have  tasted  that  the  Lord  is  gracious — 
that  Christ  Jesus  is  a  willing  Saviour  and  able  tc* 
save  even  to  the  uttermost,  all  that  come  unto  God 
through  him,  and  all  who  believe  that  the  gospel 
now  invites  "'  whosoever  will,  to  come  and  take  of 
the  water  of  life  freely."     Let  all  such  hold  up 
the-  hands  of  the  faithful  heralds  of  the  cross  un- 
til the  Lord  make  their  words  as  the  fire,  and  as  the 
hammer  that  breaketh  the  rock  in  pieces.     And 
let  the  zealous  minister  of  Christ  adopt  the  lan- 
guage of  the  pious  Doddridge  : 


^^nd  Alarming  Preachers,  S^ 

"  My  God,  1  feel  the  mournful  theme— 
My  bowels  yearn  o'er  dying  men  ; 
And,  fain  my  pity  would  reclaim, 
And  snatch  the  fire-brands  from  .tlie  flame, 
But  feeble  my  compassion  proves, 
And  can  but  weep  where  most  it  loves  ; 
Thine  own  almighty  arm  employ, 
And  turn  these  drops  of  grief  to  joy." 


BEING 

AN  ATTEMPT 

TO  PREPARE  THE  HEART 

FOR, 
AND  ANIMATE  IT  IN 

THE  PERFORMANCE  OF  DUTY. 


A 

WEEK'S  MEDITATIONS,  &c. 


THE  FIRST  DAY    OF  THE  WEEK,    BEINC^  THE  SAB- 
BATH,   OR  lord's    day. 

MORNING  MEDITATION. 

This,  my  soul,  is  the  "  Sabbath  of  the  Lord  ;^' 
the  day  of  sacred  rest ! — how  welcome  should  it  be 
to  my  weary,  thirsty,  fainting  spirit!  but  alas!  how 
little  do  I  appreciate  the  unspeakable  privileges  of 
this  day  !  how  little  do  I  realize  the  blessings  with 
%vhich  it  has  often  been  accompanied !  0,  to  be  in 
the  spirit  on  the  Lord's  day  !  to  feel  his  sacred  in- 
fluence on  my  dull  and  stupid  heart! — to  experi- 
ence those  hungerings  and  thirstings  after  right- 
eousness—those longings  of  the  mind  which  have 
been  familiar  to  thy  favoured  people  in  all  ages  of 
the  church ! — Awake,  O  north  wind  !  and  come 
thou  south.  Come  from  the  four  winds,  0  breath, 
and  breathe  upon  this  dry  and  barrren  heart,  that 
it  may  live ! — Gracious  Redeemer,  "  Let  me  see 
thy  countenance,  let  me  hear  thy  voice,  for  sweet 
is  thy  voice,  and  thy  countenance  is  comely !"  O 
thou  whom  my  soul  loveth,  or  at  least  desireth  to 
love,  let  me  sit  this  day  under  thy  shadow  with 
great  delight,  and  let  thy  fruit  be  sweet  to  my  taste. 
Let  my  hard  and  rocky  heart  be  melted,  let  it  be 
opened  to  attend  to  thy  word,  whether  spoken  or 
read,  and  let  it  do  me  good  as  it  doth  the  upright 
in  heart. — 0  to  be  enabled  to  adopt  the  language  of 
thy  servant  of  old,  and  to  say,  "  My  heart  is  fixed, 
H2 


Q::  .i  JVeek's  Meditations,  &rc. 

0  God,  my  heart  is  fixed;  I  will  sing  and  give 
praise."  Let  me  with  truth,  and  under  the  influ- 
ence of  the  Holy  Spirit,  receive  power  to  say  in 
^  eference  to  thy  holy  worship,  ''  I  was  glad  when 
hey  said  unto  me,  let  us  go  into  the  house  of  the 
i.<;id,''  and  ''let  the  words  of  my  mouth,  and  the 
meditations  of  my  heart  be  accq^table  in  thy  sight, 
0  Lord,  my  strength  and  my  Redeemer."  Let 
me  be  protected  by  thy  holy  and  good  providence, 
this  day,  from  any  occurrence  that  would  lead  my 
thoughts  from  the  contemplation  of  divine  things, 
and  let  me  be  surrounded  by  thy  presence  as  with 
-JT  mighty  shield,  from  all  the  attempts  of  men  or 
devils  to  hinder  my  attendance  upon  thy  worship, 
0¥  to  disturb  my  mind  in  the  performance  of  duty, 

"  Sweet  is  the  day  of  sacred  rest, 
"  No  mortal  cares  shall  seize  my  breast ; 
*'  O  may  my  heart  in  time  be  found, 
"  Like  David's  harp  of  solemn  sound." 


5IEDITATI0N  AFTER  THE   MORXING   SERVICE   IS 
ENDED. 

••How  beautiful  upon  the  mountains  are  the  iee,t 
of  him  that  bringeth  good  tidings ;  that  publisheth 
peace ;  that  bringeth  good  tidings  of  good ;  that 
publisheth  salvation;  that  saith  unto  Zion,  thy  God 
reigneth."  What  sayest  thou,  my  soul  ?  Couldst 
iliuu  say  under  the  ministry  of  the  word,  "It  is 
good  to  be  here?"  or  were  the  ordinances  to  thee 
fls  dry  breasts,  without  consolation  or  comfort?  If 
the  former,  thou  mayest  and  thou  oughtest  to  say, 
••  Bless  the  I^ord,  0  my  soul,  and  forget  not  all  his 
benefits."  But  if  the'latter,  thou  wilt  most  assur- 
edly hang  thy  harp  upon  the  willow : — thou  wilt 


»/?  TVeek^s  Meditations,  ^c,  9  3 

seriously,  and  with  anxious  solicitude,  inquire, 
wherefore  this  great  evil  has  come  upon  thee,  why 
thou  hast  derived  no  advantage  from  those  precious 
channels  of  grace  and  favour  which  God  hath  gra- 
ciously instituted  for  the  edification  and  quickening 
of  his  people  ?  How  would  the  miser  mourn  over 
the  misimprovement  of  a  favourable  opportunity  to 
increase  his  riches,  or  the  voluptuary  to  gratify  his 
taste,  and  wilt  thou,  0  my  soul,  esteem  it  a  light 
thing  thus  to  have  lost  an  opportunity  so  precious  ? 
Well  may  thou  adopt  the  words  of  the  pious  Cow- 
per, 

"  Return,  O  holy  dove,  return 
Sweet  messenger  of  rest ; 

I  hate  the  sins  that  made  thee  mourn, 
And  drove  thee  from  my  breast. 

The  dearest  idol  I  have  known, 
Whate'er  that  idol  be, 

Help  me  to  tear  it  from  thy  throne, 
And  worship  only  thee." 

0,  my  soul !  hast  thou  in  any  wise  slighted  or  ne- 
glected the  aid  and  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in 
thy  morning  preparation?  Hast  thou  forgotten  that 
thou  art  insufficient  to  think  even  a  good  thought, 
and  that  it  is  the  peculiar  province  of  this  divine 
agent,  to  take  of  the  things  that  are  Christ's,  and 
shew  them  to  his  believing  people }  If  so,  wonder 
not  that  thou  hast  been  sent  empty  away  from  the 
pool  of  ordinances ;  but  be  not  discouraged,  al- 
though thou  hast  great  cause  to  be  humbled. — The 
king  of  Israel  is  a  merciful  king — go  to  him  with 
the  ropes  of  self-condemnation  around  thy  neck, 
and  say  to  him,  "  Father,  I  have  sinned,"  and  who 
knows  but  he  may  compassionate  thy  case,  come 
over  the  mountains  of  thy  sin  and  folly,  and  bid 
thee  go  in  peace.    How  sad  will  be  thy  case  should 


94  A  Week^s  Meditations,  8rc. 

thou  lose  the  advantages  of  a  whole  sabbath  ! — how 
wilt  thou,  0  my  soul,  enter  upon  the  business  of  the 
ensuing  week,  without  some  token,  this  day,  of 
help  from  on  high  ? — Well  may  thou  say  with  the 
poet, 

"  Small  wonder  that  I  droop,  alone 
In  such  a  dismal  place, 

When,  lo!  my  dearest  friend  is  gone. 
My  Father  hides  his  face." 

But  remember  the  adorable  Redeemer  spake  a 
parable  to  this  end :  *'That  men  ought  always  to 
pray,  and  not  to  faint.'^ 

Go  then,  and  at  Jehovah's  footstool  bow, 
Thou  know'st  not  what  a  so v' reign  God  may  do. 


EVENING  MEDITATION   ON  THE  SABBATH. 

Another  day  of  the  Son  of  Man  is  now  near  a 
close !  what  advantages  have  I  received  from  the 
great  privileges  enjoyed  this  day  ?  Examine  care- 
fully, my  soul,  into  thy  purpose,  disposition,  and 
aim,  whilst  thou  art  engaged  in  the  performance  of 
religious  duties.  What  sayest  thou  of  a  dead  and 
formal  round  of  service,  in  which  thy  heart  and 
affections  have  neither  lot  nor  part  ? — Art  thou  sa- 
tisfied and  contented  with  such  performances  as 
these? — Is  there  no  aching  void  within,  no  loath- 
ing and  abhorrence  of  this  dead  sacrifice  offered  to 
the  living  God  -* — No  disappointment  to  thyself? 
These  are  sure  indications  that  although  thou  hast 
a  name  that  thou  livest,  yet  thou  art  in  reality  dead, 
spiritually  dead.  But  are  these  things  in  reality 
so?  Whence  then  thy  sore  complaints,  thy  inward 
groanings,  thy  mournings  and  deep  lamentations 


c5  Week's  Meditations f  i*c.  gg 

over  thy  lost  opportunities,  and  thy  hard  ana  ^^ 
believing  heart  ?    May  thou  not  say  with  the  poet, 

"  Cold  as  I  feel  this  heart  of  mine, 
Yet,  since  I  feel  it  so, 

It  yields  some  hope  of  hfe  divine 
Within,  however  low." 

Thou  art,  most  assuredly,  conscious  that  thou 
dost  attend  upon  means  and  ordinances  with  an 
expectation  of  meeting  with  God  in  them,  and  of 
receiving  good  from  them,  and  does  it  not  grieve 
thee  to  be  sent  empty  away  ?  What  has  been  the 
experience  of  this  day?  Declare  faithfully,  0  my 
soul,  and  say  nothing  now  but  what  will  be  sub- 
stantiated by  conscience  at  the  bar  of  God. — In  thy 
morning  preparations  thou  didst  manifest  an  ear- 
nest and  longing  desire  to  enjoy  the  gracious  pre- 
sence of  thy  God  and  Saviour,  through  the  power 
and  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit. — Thy  forenoon 
services  were  dull  and  formal ;  the  Lord  hid  his 
face  and  thou  wast  troubled ;  thou  didst  mourn,  in 
thy  complaint,  and  make  a  noise  :  the  language  of 
thy  heart  was,  0  that  I  knew  where  I  might  find 
him — but  in  the  afternoon,  under  the  preaching  of 
the  word,  didst  thou  not  receive  a  token  for  good? 
What  were  the  feelings  of  thy  heart  while  his  am« 
bassador  opened  to  the  view  of  thy  mind,  the  pre- 
cious truths  contained  in  the  holy  scriptures  ?  Did 
not  thy  heart  burn  within  thee,  and  wast  thou  not 
ready  to  say,  it  is  good  to  be  here  ?  And  thou  hast 
realized  in  this  instance  that  is  good  for  thee  to 
draw  near  to  God,  and  in  his  own  appointed  way. 
Well,  then,  art  thou  not  encouraged  to  "  follow  on 
to  know  the  Lord  ?"  Canst  thou  not  say,  to  the 
praise  of  rich,  free,  and  saving  grace, 

"  Now  I  know  thy  promis'd  rest, 
Can  compose  a  troubled  mind. 


36  ^d  WecJe*s  3Iediiaiio2i,9,  8^c. 

You  that  weary  are  like  me, 
Hearken  to  the  gospel  call ; 

To  the  ark  for  refuge  flee, 
Jesus  will  receive  you  all." 


THE  SECOND  DAY  OF  THE  WEEK,    BEING  MONDAY, 

MORNING  MEDITATION. 

I  AM  now  about  to  venture  again  into  an  ensnar- 
ing world.  0  my  soul,  see  that  thou  set  a  watch 
upon  the  door  of  thy  lips  this  day,  and  keep  thy 
heart  with  all  diligence  ;  seeing  out  of  it  are  the 
issues  of  life.  And  remember,  that  unless  the 
Lord  keep  the  city,  the  watchman  waketh  but  in 
vain.  Dost  thou  believe  that  the  blessing  of  God 
is  essential  to  thy  success,  even  in  the  common  con- 
cerns of  life — that  "  Unless  the  Lord  build  the 
house,  they  labour  in  vain  that  build  it."  And 
dost  thou  neglect  to  seek  the  blessing  of  the  most 
high  !  Examine  well  that  the  business  in  which 
thou  art  this  day  about  to  engag<3,  be  lawful,  and 
that  thou  canst  with  a  good  conscience,  seek  the 
blessing  of  God  upon  it.  If  the  shadow  of  a  doubt 
rests  upon  it  in  this  respect,  stop — proceed  no  far- 
ther, until  this  point  be  settled  agreeably  to  the 
word  of  God  and  thine  own  conscience,  having 
earnestly  sought  the  aid  and  influence  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  as  umpire  in  this  important  concern.  Sure- 
ly my  soul,  thou  believe.sr  that  thou  hast  to  do  with 
a  holy,  righteous,  all-seeing,  and  omnipresent  God, 
Then  first  approve  thyself,  thy  purpose,  and  thy 
work  to  him,  and  then  whatsoever  thy  hand  findeth 
to  do,  do  it  with  thy  might.  Be  not  discouraged  al- 
though difficulties  intervene  and  interrupt  thy  pur-^ 
suit;  but  "Commit  thy  way  unto  the  Lord;  trust 
also  in  him,  and  he  will  bring  it  to  pass."    0,  how 


A  Week^s  Meditations,  ^-c.  93 

^vould  it  smooth  the  rugged  path  of  life — how' 
would  that  spirit  of  distrust  and  anxious  solicitude, 
be  changed  into  composure  and  confidence  in  God, 
didst  thou  but  realize  as  thou  oughtest  to  do,  that 
the  Lord  reigneth  in  the  kingdoms  of  nature,  of 
providence,  and  of  grace  ;  and  that  a  sparrow  can- 
not fall  to  the  ground  without  his  knowledge  and 
permission.  How  much  unnecessary  anxiety  and 
distress  would  it  not  prevent,  did  thou  but  attend  to 
the  direction  of  thy  kind  and  gracious  Saviour — • 
*<  Take  no  thought  for  to-morrow  ;'^  that  is,  undue, 
over-anxious,  and  sinful  solicitude ,  and  this  to  the 
great  and  criminal  neglect  of  present  and  impor- 
tant duties.  Seek  first  the  kingdom  of  God  and  his 
righteousness,  and  all  necessary  things  shall  be  ad- 
ded thereto.  What  advantage,  my  soul,  present,  or 
future,  canst  thou  derive  from  all  this  world  calls 
good  or  great  ?  Is  there  aught  below  the  sun  for 
which  thou  would  exchange  thy  peace  of  mind, 
and  willingly  forego  that  peace  of  God  which  pas- 
seth  all  understanding  ?  On  entering,  then,  on  the 
business  of  this  day,  cry  mightily  unto  Ged  for 
his  presence  and  supporting  grace.  Well  mightest 
thou  say,  "  If  thy  presence  go  not  with  me  cany 
i3[ie  not  up  hence." 


MONDAY. 

EVENING  MEDITATION. 


And  now  another  day  is  gone,  what,  my  soul, 
have  been  thy  views  and  feelings,  during  thy  mer- 
cies and  trials  through  the  day  past }  Surely  the  re- 
trospect will  afford  much  ground  for  mourning  and 
humiliation.  So  little  improvement  of  time  !  so 
little  provision  for  eternity  !    so  little  sensibility 


98  ^  TFeek^s  Meditations^  <§'t\ 

under,  and  gratitude  for  mercies  received  !  so  littk* 
disposition  to  do  better  for  time  to  come  !  But 
though  there  is  much  cause  for  humiliation,  hast 
thou  not,  nevertheless,  some  ground  of  encourage- 
ment? some  reason  to  lift  up  thy  heart  in  grateful 
acknowledgments  for  what  thou  hast  this  day  expe- 
rienced ?  Hast  thou  my  soul  been  exempted  this 
day  from  any  personal  or  family  affliction,  and  from 
any  particular  trial  or  temptation  from  without,  or 
from  within,  from  men,  or  from  Satan  ?  Hath  no 
temptation  befallen  thee  but  such  as  is  common  to 
men  ?  then,  "  bless  the  Lord,  0  my  soul,  and  all 
that  is  within  me  be  stirred  up  to  bless  his  holy 
name ;  bless  the  Lord,  0  my  soul,  and  forget  not 
all  his  benefits  !"  Although  thouhast  indeed  much 
cause  to  be  humbled  even  to  the  dust,  under  a  sense 
of  thy  short-comings  in  every  duty.  Yet  thou  hast 
abundant  cause  to  sing  of  mercy  as  well  as  of  judg- 
ment, and  to  praise  the  Lord,  for  he  is  good,  for 
his  mercy  endure th  forever.  What  then,  my  soul. 
is  the  improvement  thou  art  called  to  make  of  the 
blessings  of  this  day  ? 

1.  Ascribe  the  glory  and  the  praise  of  all  to  him 
from  whom  cometh  every  good  and  every  perfect 
gift.  2.  Let  the  goodness  of  God  lead  thee,  0  my 
soul,  to  true  and  genuine  repentance,  and  to  a  more 
entire  dependance  upon  God.  Learn  to  live  upon 
his  word  and  to  trust  his  promised  grace.  Let  thy 
principal  study  and  concern  be  to  ascertain  what  is 
the  path  of  duty.  Before  thou  undertakest  any- 
thing, be  fully  persuaded  in  thy  own  mind,  that  it 
is  in  strict  conformity  with  the  mind  and  will  of 
God,  and  then  be  not  afraid,  although  an  host 
should  encamp  against  thee.  In  every  arduous  en- 
terprize,  remember  the  Lord  who  is  great  and  ter- 
rible, and  whose  ways  are  higher  than  our  ways, 
as  the  heavens  are  high  above  the  earth.  If  God 
be  for  us,  who  can  be  against  us  ?     And  we  mav 


Jl  TVeek^s  Meditations,  <5'C.  99 

boldly  say — "  the  Lord  is  my  helper  and  I  will  not 
fear  what  man  can  do  unto  me." 


TUESDAY. 

MORNING  MEDITATIION. 

"  Once  more,  my  soul,  the  rising  day  salutes  thy 
waking  eyes  V^     Remember  thou  art   professedly 
on  thy  journey  Zion-ward,  and  thou  hast  many  dif- 
ficulties to  encounter,  therefore  gird  up  the  loins  of 
thy  mind,  be  sober  and  hope  to  the  end.  Venture  not 
forward  without  first  putting  on  the  whole  armour 
of  God.   For,  although  thou  mayest  at  setting  out, 
apprehend  no  danger,   yet,  ere  thou  hast  travelled 
many  paces,  thou  mayest  be  assailed  and  overcome 
by  some  of  thy  deadly  foes.     0  ray  soul,  let  a  deep 
sense  of  eternal  things  be  wrought  upon  thy  heart 
this  day,  and  forget  not  for  a  single  moment,  thy 
weakness  and  entire  dependance  on  the  aid  and  di- 
rection of  thy  spiritual  guide,  the  blessed  Comfor- 
ter :  beware  of  grieving  this  heavenly  messenger, 
for  without  his  aid,  thou  canst  do  nothing.    Cherish 
by  all  possible  means  his  soul-cheering  presence, 
and   be  thou  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord  all  the  day 
long.     Pray  without  ceasing.     Let  the  desires  of 
thy  soul  be   incessant  for  quickening  and  sanctify- 
ing grace.     Seek  "  to  be  spiritually  minded,  which 
is  life  and  peace."     "  And  the  peace  of  God  which 
passeth  all  understanding,  shall  keep  thy  heart  and 
mind  through  Christ  Jesus." 

I  have  just  been  reading  the  Memoirs  of  Mrs, 
Harriet  Newell,  the  wife  of  a  missionary  to  the 
heathen,  and  it  hns  been  to  me  "as  cold  waters  to 
a  thirsty  soul."  Truly,  "  To  those  who  have  no 
might  (of  their  own)  the  Lord  increaseth  strength  '" 


fOO  ^  Week's  Meditafion^y  Sfc, 

O  that  my  languid,  stupid  affections  were  awaken- 
ed to  a  more  vigorous  exercise,  and  unalterably  fix- 
ed on  the  precious  Redeemer.  Surely  I  can  say 
with  the  most  heart-felt  sincerity — 

"  Dear  Saviour,  let  thy  beauties  be 
My  soul's  eternal  food, 
And  grace  command  rny  heart  away 
From  all  created  good." 

Why,  why  my  soul,  dost  thou  grovel  here  in  the 
dust,  fond  of  these  earthly  toys — 0  why  is  my 
heart  so  far  from  thee  my  God,  my  chief  delight? 
When  shall  the  day  break  and  the  shadows  flee- 
away,  and  my  soul  be  comforted  with  the  light  of 
thy  countenance. 

"  When  shall  the  time,  dear  Jesus,  when, 
The  shining  day  appear, 
That  I  shall  leave  these  clouds  of  sin. 
And  guilt  and  darkness  here." 

Surely  at  times  my  soul  thirsteth  for  God,  for 
the  living  God,  so  that  I  can  say,  whom  have  I  m 
heaven  but  thee,  and  there  is  none  upon  earth  I  de- 
sire besides  thee.  But  how  often  do  I  mourn  an 
absent  God,  and  yet  alas  !  a  careless  heart.  0  for 
a^  closer  walk  with  God  !  0  for  a  heart  to  love, 
serve,  and  honour  the  adorable  Jesus,  and  live  to 
him  alone. 


TUESDAY. 

EVENING  MEDITATION. 


And  now  another  day  is  gone — "gone  with  the 
years  beyond  the  flood.*'     Irrecoverably  gone,  I 


*4?  PFeeJe's  Meditatl(m9,  ^c.  101 

had  weli  nigh  said,  irrecoverably  lost.  Is  it  so,  as 
the  poet  has  said,  "  Time  is  Eternity :  Pregnaitt 
with  all  eternity  can  give."  "  Who  murders  time, 
he  crushes  in  the  birth,  a  power  ethereal,  only  not 
ador'd."  Alas  !  how  poor,  how  low  an  estimate 
^o  we  make  of  precious  time  !  How  many  are 
only  or  chiefly  concerned  to  have  it  spent  without 
consideration,  without  reflection,  and  to  say  the 
least,  without  profit  or  advantage  to  themselves  or 
others  !  Is  it  my  soul  otherwise  with  thee.  Alas  ? 
alas  !  when  for  the  time  thou  mightest  have  been  a 
teacher,  how  little  improvement  hast  thou  made  in 
spiritual  concerns  ?  Truly  niayest  thou  say,  "  much 
of  my  time  has  run  to  waste !"  O  to  be  enabled 
now  to  begin  to  redeem  the  time  and  to  give  all 
diligence  to  make  my  calling  and  election  sure  ! — 
O  let  the  time  past  suffice  to  have  lived  at  a  distance 
from  thee  1  from  thee  my  chiefest  joy  \  from  thee 
my  dearest  Saviour  !  from  thee,  the  beloved  of 
my  soul.  "  My  soul  that  flies  to  thee,  blessed  Je- 
sus, her  trust,  her  treasure,  as  misers  to  their  gold, 
while  others  rest. "  In  the  language  of  my  belov- 
ed Erskine,  I  can  say, 

*'  Let  fools  a  heaven  of  shades  pursue, 
But  I  for  substance  am  : 
The  heaven  1  seek,  is  likeness  to, 
And  vision  of  the  Lamb." 

What  a  treasure  is  the  Holy  Scriptures  !  Truly^ 
as  says  the  poet,  ^'this  is  the  field  where  hidden 
lies,  the  pearl  of  price  unknown  !"  And  yet,  alas  ! 
how  is  this  precious  book,  this  word  of  life  ne- 
glected! If  every  house  in  this  city  were  exam- 
ined every  day,  how  many  neglected,  perhaps  dus- 
ty Bibles,  would  be  found  !  What  care  is  mani- 
fested in  dusting  furniture  and  brushing  away  cob- 
webs, &e. — but  how  many  Marthas  are  there  who 


102  A  TVeek*s  Medltatlofis,  ^-c, 

are  careful  and  troubled  about  many  things,  but  are 
not  sufficiently  attentive  to  the  one  thing  needful ! 
How  is  it  that  this  precious  Bible  is  so  little  resort- 
ed to — so  little  prized  ?  Who  can  say  practically 
and  from  well  known  experience,  with  the  pious 
Newton — 

"  Precious  Bible !  what  a  treasure 
Does  the  word  of  God  afford  ! 
All  I  want  for  life  and  pleasure, 
Food  and  medicine,  shield  and  sword." 

0  my  soul,  why  is  this  Book  so  little  resorted  to 
by  thee?  Thou  hast  found  in  it  a  healing  balm  for 
every  wound,  a  cordial  for  thy  fears  ;  and  yet  how 
little  dost  thou  improve  it  to  thy  growth  and 
peace  ! 


WEDNESDAY. 

MORNING  MEDITATION. 

"  Pbayer  is  an  offering  up  of  our  desires  unto 
God  for  things  agreeable  to  his  will,  in  the  name  of 
Christ,  vvith  confession  of  our  sins,  and  thankful 
acknowledgment  of  his  mercies."  0  my  soul, 
how  important  is  this  duty  !  How  precious  is  this 
privilege  !  Three  things  are  recommended  in 
Scripture  respecting  this  duty.  1.  Frequency — 
"  Praying  always  with  all  prayer  and  supplica- 
tion." "Pray  without  ceasing."  "Men  ought 
•always  to  pray  and  not  to  faint."  2.  Fervency— 
"Fervent  in  spirit,  serving  the  Lord."  "  God  is  a 
spirit,  and  they  that  worship  him  must  worship 
him  in  spirit  and  in  truth."  3.  hnjiot^tunity — "I 
will  not  let  thee  go  except  thou  bless  me."   "  I  will 


A  Weeli's  Meditations,  SfC.  103 

avenge  her,  lest  by  her  continual  coming  she  wea- 
ry me.     And  shall  not  God  avenge  his  own  elect, 
which  cry  day  and  night  unto  him,  though  he  bear 
long  with  them.     I  tell    you  that  he  will  avenge 
them  speedily/'     How  great  a  blessing  is  it  to  be 
spiritually  minded — to  be  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord 
all  the  day  long.     0  how  inestimable  the  privilege 
to  have  the  heart  always  ready  to  cry  to  him  who 
is  invisible,  to  be  as   it  were  within  speaking  dis- 
tance of  our    heavenly  Father.     Surely  then  we 
need  not  fear  though  an  host  should  encamp  against 
us  ;  for,  "  If  God  be  for  us  who  can  be  against  us  .'"' 
The  Holy  Spirit  it  is  who  teaches  the  believer  this 
divine  art.     How  careful  then  should  he  be  no    to 
grieve  this  heavenly  Comforter.    0  my  soul  grieve 
not    the  Holy  Spirit  of    God,  whereby  thou    ari 
sealed  unto  the  day  of  redemption.     The  apostk 
to  the  Ephesiaiis  says,  "  After  that  ye  believed,  y€ 
were  sealed  with  the  Holy  Spirit  of  promise  whicli 
is  the  earnest  of  our  inheritance."     0  blessed  ear- 
nest of  good  things  to  come  !    Again,    to  the  Gala- 
tians,  he  gives  the  same  pleasing  idea  :    "  And  be- 
cause ye  are  sons  of  God,  he  hath  sent  forth  the 
spirit  of  his  Son  into  your  hearts,  crying  Abba 
Father."     This  is  further  illustrated  in  a  variety 
of  passages  in  the  sacred  scriptures.    No   wonder 
those  who  have  tasted  that  God  is  gracious,  long 
for  more  frequent  manifestations  of  his  love.     But 
wonderful  indeed  it  is  that  such  should  ever  turn 
to   the   muddy  streams  of  worldly  pleasure,  or  be 
tempted  for  a  moment  to  forget  God,  and  whenever 
they  do  forget   him,   what  wonder  is  it  that  we 
hear  such  a  piteous  outcry  of  "  0  wretched  man 
that  I  am" — "  wretch  that  I  am  to  wander  thus,  &c. 
&.C.  ?"     But  ao::ain,  wonder  of  wonders  that-  after 
such   instances  of  base  ingratitude,   the  poor  self- 
condemned,  imprisoned  believer  should  have   his 
prison  doors  opened,  and  be  again  loosed  from  iiis 
12 


104  A  JVcek^s  MeditaHons^  <5'f. 

bonds ;  be  taken  from  the  horrible  pit  and  the  miry 
clay ;  his  feet  set  upon  a  rock  ,  a  new  song  of 
praise  to  God  put  into  his  mouth,  and  his  goings 
established.  Truly  this  is  the  Lord's  doing  ;  and 
it  is  marvellous  in  our  eyes.  0  to  grace  how  great 
a  debtor  !  *•'  As  the  heavens  are  high  above  the 
earth,  so  are  thy  ways,  O  Lord,  higher  than  oy^ 
ways,  and  thy  thoughts,  than  our  thoughts.'' 


WEDNESDAY. 

EVENING  MEDITATION. 

"  And  Isaac  went  out  to  meditate  in  the  field,  at 
the  even  tide,  and  he  lifted  up  his  eyes  and  saw, 
and  behold  the  camels  were  coming."  Of  all  the 
privileges  the  christian  enjoys,  there  is  none  that 
would  compensate  for  the  want  of  meditation. — < 
This,  when  the  soul  is  in  a  healthful  state,  allbrds  a 
continual  feast;  and  how  many  instances  do  we 
find  of  the  joyful  experience  of  believers  at  such 
times.  That  eminent  servant  of  God  and  of  the 
church,  JNIr.  Flavel,  whose  writings  are  a  legacy 
which  will  be  prized  as  long  as  there  is  a  believer 
upon  earth  to  read  them,  upon  one  occasion  w^hen 
lie  was  setting  out  upon  a  journey  on  horse-back, 
and  alone,  determined  to  avail  himself  of  that  day's 
•h'olitude,  to  meditate  on  the  wonders  of  redeem- 
ing love,  and  it  pleased  his  heavenly  Father  to  in- 
dulge this  his  beloved  child  with  sweet  nearness  to, 
and  communion  with  him,  insomuch  that  his  in- 
tense desires  had  like  to  have  overcome  feeble  na- 
trure,  and  burst  the  poor  clay-tabernaclc.  He  was  for 
<some  time  insensible  to  all  terrestrial  things,  and 
when  he  awoke,  as  it  were,  from  his  heavenly  med- 
tations.  lie  found  himself  and  his  hopsc  besmeared 


t^  TVeek^s  MedUatioTis,  ^c.  105 

with  blood,  which  had  been  forced  from  his  nose. 
This  he  ever  afterwards  reckoned  one  of  the  days 
of  the  Son  of  man  in  an  especial  manner.  But 
the  time  would  fail  me  to  tell  of  Edwards,  and  of 
Brainerd,  of  Watts,  and  of  Doddridge,  and  the 
long  list  of  worthies,  who  through  faith  and  pa- 
tience have  already  inherited  the  promises.  0  to 
have  a  heart  to  relish  the  sweet  savour  of  piety 
they  have  left  behind.  0  my  soul  be  stirred  up  to 
follow  them  as  they  have  followed  Christ.  Most 
(Itordially  do  I  agree  with  Dr.  Young  in  reprobating 
the  idea  of  calling  it  solitude  •*  to  be  alone.''  Hast 
thou  not,  my  soul,  spent  the  sweetest,  the  happiest, 
and  mostjoyful  hours  of  thy  life,  when  no  humaR 
6ye  was  witness  to  thy  converse — no  ear  to  th^ 
complaint, 

"  Nor  sought  a  witness  to  thy  song. 
Nor  wish'd  for  human  praise." 

0  my  soul,  why  art  thou  so  little  engaged !  so 
seldom  employed  in  this  delightful  exercise  of 
communing  with  God.  0  for  the  inestimable 
privilege  of  leaning  on  Jesus'  breast  and  telling 
him  all  my  cares  and  sorrows  ! 

'■  Our  sorrows  and  our  tears  we  pour 
Into  the  bosom  of  our  God, 
He  hears  us  in  the  mournful  hour, 
And  helps  us  bear  the  heavy  load." 

Yes,  my  soul,  thou  canst  witness  that  ^'  The 
name  of  the  Lord  is  a  strong  tower,  the  righteous 
runneth  into  it  and  are  safe."  Did  not  our  heart 
burn  within  us  (said  the  two  disciples  who  were 
going  to  Emmseus  when  Jesus  met  with  them) 
while  he  talked  with  us  by  the  way,  and  while  he 
ypened  to  us  the  scriptures.     0  how  refreshing  to 


100  ^i  Week's  Meditations^  4'C. 

the  poor,  weary,  disconsolate  christian,  when  Je- 
sus, by  tlieagenc}''  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  condescends 
to  give  some  manifestation  of  his  presence,  and 
causes  the  broken  bones  to  rejoice. 

"  When  but  in  drops  here  by  the  way, 
Free  love  distils  itself, 
I  pour  contempt  on  hills  of  prey 
And  heaps  of  worldly  pelf" 


THURSDAY. 
MORNmG  MEDITATION. 

♦'  Search  the  scriptures,  for  in  them  ye  think  ye 
}iave  eternal  life,  and  they  are  they  which  testify 
of  me."  These  are  the  words  of  the  blessed  Jesus, 
who  spake  as  never  man  spake. — 0  my  soul,  how 
precious  is  the  Bible  !  "Hov/  pure  is  every  page.'' 
How  is  it  suited  to  nourish  and  refresh  the  poor, 
weary,  war-worn  pilgrim  in  his  journey  Zion-ward 
— 0  let  these  precious  truths  be  bound  to  my  heart, 
and  never  on  any  account  be  lost  sight  of  for  a  mo- 
ment. 0  that  they  may  be  my  guide  and  my  di- 
rectory through  all  the  obliquities  and  changes  of 
life. 

How  true  have  I  found  that  declaration  of  scrip- 
ture, which  states  that  a  man's  life  (or  happiness) 
consisteth  not  in  the  abundance  of  the  things  which 
he  possesseth.  No,  the  apostle  could  speak,  and  so 
can  I,  o{^' having  nothing  and  yet  possessing  all 
things.'^  The  Lord  is  my  portion,  saith  my  soul, 
therefore  will  I  hope  in  him  : — rejoice  in  the  Lord 
alway,  saith  the  apostle,  and  again  I  say  rejoice. — 
0  how  sv»'CCt  is  a  crumb  of  bread  and  a  cup  of  wa- 
ter mixed  with  heart-felt  gratitude  and  love  to  God, 


A  Week's  Meditations,  SfC,  107 

I  write  this  under  circumstances  which  enable  me 
to  speak  what  I  do  know,  and  testify  what  I  have 
felt.    And  on  the  contrary,  as  says  the  pious  Watts, 

"  Let  a  broad  stream  of  golden  sands 
Through  all  his  meadows  roll, 

He's  but  a  wretch,  with  all  his  lands, 
That  wears  a  narrow  soul." 

When  I  see  some  very  rich  men  passing  by,  who 
are  ignorant  of  God,  and  enemies  to  him,  I  say 
how  pitiable  is  their  case,  and  how  much  indebted 
am  I  to  the  riches  of  divine  grace — 

"  Shall  I  cn\7,  then,  the  Miser 
Doting  on  his  golden  store  ? 

Sure  I  am,  or  should  be,  wiser, 
I  am  rich,  'tis  he  is  poor. 

Jesus  gives  me  in  his  word, 

Food  and  med'cine,  shield  and  sword." 

But,  alas !  my  unstable,  wandering  heart,  how 
oft,en  dost  thou  rove  and  lose  the  enjoyment  of  di- 
vine things  !  Yes,  well  mayestthou  say,  "Wretch 
that  I  am  to  wander  thus."  Truly,  "  My  soul  that 
noiv  in  Goshen  dwells,  anon  in  Egypt  mourns.'' 
But  my  mourning  I  feel  to  be  on  account  of  sin, 
and  it  makes  me  the  more  long  to  be  freed  from  it 

"  I  long  to  share  the  happiness, 
Of  that  triumphant  throng, 

That  swim  in  seas  of  boundless  bliss, 
Eternity  along." 

The  rest  that  remains  for  the  people  of  God ! 
where  the  wicked  cease  from  troubling,  and  the 
weary  are  at  rest.  0  how  desirable  ! — but  let  me 
with  faith  and  patience  wait  for  it.  How  is  it  with 
those  who  have  no  weariness  or  painful  struggling 


108  A  Week^s  Meditations,  ^c. 

in  their  course  Zion-ward  ?  Can  any  enjoy  rest  but 
the  weary? 


THURSDAY. 

EVENING  MEDITATION. 

"Take  heed  how  ye  hear."  This  admonition 
is  peculiarly  applicable,  my  soul,  to  thee.  Thou 
oughtest  to  give  more  heed  to  the  things  which  are 
spoken,  lest  at  any  time  thou  shouldst  let  them  slip. 
— How  many  of  the  great  and  leading  truths  of  the 
gospel  hast  thou  heard  faithfully  explained,  and  yet 
how  little  hast  thou  retained  or  improved  ! — How 
important  is  the  ministerial  office,  as  Mr.  Newton 
has  correctly  stated — 

"  No  post  on  earth  affords  a  place 
For  equal  honour  or  disgrace." 

Alas  !  how  few,  even  among  the  faithful,  appear 
suitably  impressed  vvith  the  great  responsibility 
they  are  under.  They  have,  as  it  were,  the  gos- 
pel treasure  put  into  their  hands  for  gratuitous  dis- 
tribution: "  We  have  this  treasure,"  saith  the  apos- 
tle, ^*in  earthen  vessels," — "It  hath  pleased  God, 
by  the  foolishness  of  preaching,  to  save  them  that 
believe."  These  things  considered,  how  solemn, 
how  diligent — how  fervent — and  how  prayerful 
ought  ministers  to  be  !  0  how  painful  is  it  to  see 
the  light  and  trifling  conduct  of  many:  they  have 
more  of  the  stage  than  the  pulpit  in  their  exterior  ! 
and  it  is  to  be  feared,  more  of  the  fleece  than  the 
flock  in  their  hearts!  "By  their  fruits  ye  shall 
know  them."  "Believe  not  every  spirit,  but  try 
the  spirits."  "After  my  departure,"  saith  the 
apostle,  "shall  grievous   wolves  enter   in   among 


A  fVeek*s  Meditations ,  ^c.  109 

5'ou,  not  sparing  the  flock."  0  that  the  Lord  of 
the  harvest  would  send  forth  faithful  labourers  inta 
his  harvest, — men  fearing  God  and  hating  covet- 
ousness :  Men  who  have  been  taught  by  the  Holy 
Spirit  the  way  of  salvation  themselves. — "  The  hus- 
bandman that  laboureth  must  first  be  partaker  of 
the  fruit."  As  well  might  a  blind  man  teach  the 
art  of  penmanship,  as  an  unconverted  minister  the 
way  of  salvation  through  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ :  consequently,  "  if  the  blind  lead  the  blind, 
both  shall  fall  into  the  ditch.  "  The  great  misfor- 
tune in  this  case  is,  that  some  men  learn  christian 
experience  by  rote,  and  through  the  exceeding  de- 
ceitfulness  and  depravity  of  the  heart,  they,  after 
a  time,  claim  that  which  is  no  other  than  stolen 
goods,  as  their  own  property,  although  they  neither 
know  what  they  say  nor  whereof  they  affirm  :  and 
the  worst  of  it  is,  that  such  having  climbed  over 
the  wall  themselves,  are  not  backw^ard  (if  self-in- 
terest require  it)  to  encourage  others  to  enter  the 
sheep-fold  in  the  same  manner. 

That  faithful  and  successful  messenger  of  Christ, 
Mr.  Flavel,  says,  "  This  office  is  to  be  committed 
'^unto  faithful  and  able  men,  not  to  novices.  1 
^^  know  the  necessities  of  the  churches  are  great, 
"  but  no  more  haste,  I  beseech  you,  to  supply  their 
"  wants,  than  good  speed :  that's  soon  enough,  that's 
"  well  enough.  'Tis  less  hazard  to  put  an  ignorant-^ 
"rustick  into  an  apothecary's  shop  to  compound 
"  and  prepare  medicines  for  men's  bodies,  than  to 
"  trust  a  man  destitute  both  of  faithfulness  and  pru- 
"  dence,  with  the  dispensation  of  Christ's  ordinan- 
"  ces  to  men's  souls."  See  FlavePs  Sermon  on 
the  Character  of  an  Evangelical  Pastor.  0  that 
this  sermon  were  printed  on  the  inside  walls  of 
every  minister's  study,  and  its  salutary  lessons 
deeply  impressed  on  every  heart. 


110  Ji  Weeh^s  Meditations^  fyc> 


FRIDAY. 
MORNING  MEDITATION. 

Read,  my  soul,  with  delight  and  astonishmentt 
TRUE  RELIGION  epitomizcd,  in  the  13th  chapter  ot^ 
Paul's  first  Epistle  to  the  Corinthians,  under  the 
appropriate  appellation  of  charity.  This  divine 
principle,  as  delineated  by  the  apostle,  runs  direct- 
ly counter  to  all  the  false  and  selfish  views  of  formal 
and  vain  professors ;  and  w^ere  it  possible  for  the 
carnal  mind  to  attend  to  the  dictates  of  truth,  and 
the  evidence  of  a  vain  and  fallacious  hope,  without 
the  aid  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  this  chapter  would  of 
itself  be  sufficient  to  convince  the  most  secure  for- 
malist that  he  has  neither  part  nor  lot  in  this  mat- 
ter. Let  me  indulge  a  few  moments  in  looking  in- 
to this  matter:  '-Charity  suffereth  long  and  is  kind 
— envieth  not — seeketh  not  her  own — rejoiceth  not 
in  iniquity,  but  rejoiceth  in  the  truth.''  But  why 
select  w^here  all  is  incomparably  excellent?  It  will 
be  seen  at  first  view,  that  the  principle  which  pro- 
duces  the  above  heavenly  fruit,  must  itself  be  di- 
vine. Is  any  thing  like  this  to  be  found  in  deprav- 
ed man  in  his  natural  estate?  Charity  envieth  not. 
Where  is  the  man  whose  heart  has  not  been  chang- 
ed by  the  grace  of  God,  who  is  not  conscious  of 
envy  ?  Let  but  his  own  selfish  views,  and  his  y'c/z- 
gious  attainments,  if  you  please,  be  obscured  by 
the  superior  splendor  of  others,  and  he  will  hear 
this  serpent  hiss.  But  it  would  be  a  vain  attempt 
to  elucidate  what  is  as  clear  to  every  intelligent 
mind,  as  that  the  sun  warms  and  invigorates  the 
earth.  Enquire  then,  O  my  soul,  whether  thou 
hast  any  knowledge  of,  or  acquaintance  with  this 
heaven-born  principle.  Hast  thou  ever  felt  the 
constraining  influence  of  this  love  to  God,  and  love 


A  Weeh's  Meditations,  §•(?.  1 11 

to  men.  Has  this  at  any  time,  like  the  rod  of  Mo- 
ses in  another  case,  swallowed  up  all  selfish  consi- 
derations, and  brought  thee  to  rejoice  in  God  and 
the  word  of  his  grace,  saying  <'Not  my  will,  nol 
my  interest,  not  my  honour,  but  thine  be  done  and 
promoted  ? 

"  This  is  the  grace  that  lives  and  sing?, 
When  faith  and  hope  shall  cease, 

'Tis  this  shall  strike  our  joyful  strings 
In  the  sweet  realms  of  bliss." 

How  great  an  enemy  to  God  and  the  plan  of  sal- 
vation, is  that  great  idol  self-love!  If  any  man  will 
come  after  me,  saith  the  dear  Redeemer,  let  him 
deny  himself.  And  throughout  the  whole  of  the 
New  Testament,  this  principle  of  self-love  is  re- 
presented as  altogether  incompatible  with  love  to 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  And  does  not  this  perfect 
ly  accord  with  christian  experience  ?  "  Self  in  my- 
self I  hate,"  saith  one.  0  how  would  the  chris- 
tian rejoice  to  be  entirely  freed  from  the  workings 
of  this  insidious  foe.  How  often  does  this  enemy 
of  all  righteousness  obtrude  itself  when  the  poor 
soul  would  have  wished  to  give  all  its  affections  to 
the  dear  Saviour. — How  often,  my  soul,  hast  thou 
adopted  the  language  of  the  poet, 

"  But  unbelief,  self-will,  self-righteousness,  and  pride. 
How  often  do  they  steal  my  weapon  from  my  side." 


FRIDAY. 
EVENING  MEDITATION. 


The  apostle  in  his  12th  chapter  to  the  Hebrews 
has  these   encouraging  words,   "For  ye  are  no* 
K 


110  A  Week^s  Meditations,  fyc, 

come  unto  the  mount  that  might  be  touched  &c, 
(that  is  Mount  Sinai)  but  ye  are  come  unto  Mount 
Sion,  &c.  &c/'     This  coming  must  have  been  by- 
faith,  agreeably  to  the  explanation   given  in   the 
former  chapter,  as  they  to  whom  he  writes  had  not 
yet  come   in  any  other  way,  "  To  the  spirits  of 
just  men   made  perfect."     How  important   then, 
is  this  preciotis  grace  of  faith  to  poor,  weary  pil- 
grims, who  are  seeking  *'  a  heittr  country  7''^— 
"Charity  endureth  all  things."  And  faith  strength- 
ens this  divine  principle  of  love  by  presenting  to 
its  view    the    glorious   realities    of  the   invisible 
world     "  Ye  are  come  (saith  the  apostle,)  to  Jesus, 
the   mediator  of  the  new  covenant ;    and  to  the 
blood  of   sprinkling    that   speaketh  better  things 
than  that  of  A])el."     Blessed  and  happy  indeed 
are  they  who  have  thus  come.     What  sayest  thou 
my  soul,  hast  thou  any  acquaintance  with  these 
things — with  this  coming  ?     Surely  if  thou  hast 
ever  been  conversant  with  such  things,  thou  wilt 
have  a  perfect  recollection  of  them.     "  Didst  ever 
thou  thy  pardon  read  in  tears  of  "  untold  joy  ?"  0, 
didst  thou  ever  cast  thy  heavy  burden  on  the  Lord 
Jesus   and   find  rest  for  thy  weary  soul,  and    yet 
thou  canst  remember  nothing  of  it  ?  hyipossihle,  ! 
But  again  :  Hast  thou  not  had  frequent  occasions 
of  coming   to  this  blood  of  sprinkling,  since  the 
commencement  of  thy  pilgrimage,  and  dost  thou 
not  find  it  still  essential  to  thy  peace  and  growth 
to  come  to  this  precious  fountain  continually  ? — 
Is  not  this  a  balm  for  every  wound,  a  cordial  foi 
thy  fears  ?  0  my  soul,  never,  never  cease  to  come 
to  this  true  Bethesda,  (place  of  healing.)     Here 
let  all  thy  hopes  centre ;    here  let  all  thy  wishes 
meet.     How^  prone  are  men  to  anticipate   future 
events,   whether   pleasing   or  painful ;    but,  alas  • 
how  little  dost  thou,  my  soul,  enjoy  by  anticipation, 
the  soul  ravishing  delights  of  the  heavenly  state  ! 


A  IVeek^s  Meditations,  ^c.  113 

"  Here  we  shall  see  his  face, 

And  never,  never  sin ;  / 

Here,  from  the  rivers  of  his  grace, 

Drink  endless  pleasures  in."  I 

Moses  chose  rather  to  suffer  affliction  with  the 
people  of  God,  than  to  enjoy  the  pleasures  of  sin 
for  a  season  ;  esteeming  the  reproach  of  Christ 
greater  riches  than  the  treasures  in  Egypt :  for,  he 
had  respect  unto  the  recompense  of  the  reward. — 
That  is,  by  faith  he  had  such  views,  aud  such  fore- 
tastes of  heavenly  things,  that  the  splendors  of  an 
Egyptian  court  were  all  lost  upon  him.  Nor  wag 
Moses  in  this  respect  different  from  other  believ- 
ers. All  who  love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  sin- 
cerity, would  spurn  at  the  offer  of  thrones  and 
kingdoms,  if  with  them  they  could  not  enjoy  the 
soul-cheering  prospect  of  their  heavenly  inher- 
itance. 

"  Could  I  command  the  spacious  land, 
And  the  more  boundl€SS  sea, 
For  one  blest  hour  at  thy  right  hand, 
I'd  give  them  botli  away." 


SATURDAY. 

MORNING  MEDITATION. 

'■'  Repentance  unto  life  is  a  saving  grace,  where- 
by a  sinner,  out  of  a  true  sense  of  his  sin  and  ap- 
prehension of  the  mercy  of  God  in  Christ,  doth 
with  grief  and  hatred  of  his  sin  turn  from  it  unto 
God,  with  full  purpose  of,  and  endeavours  after  new 
obedience  !"  True  and  evangelical  repentance  must 
of  necessity,  we  think,  imply  a  change  of  i»eart 
and  of  views.     Can  any  unrenewed  sinner,  whose 


114  c^  Week's  Meditations,  <S'C. 

-  heart  is  in  love  with  sin,  "with  grief  and  hatred  of 
his  sin,  turn  from  it  unto  God,  with  full  purpose  of 
n^w  obedience?''  Mankind,  by  nature,  have  no 
suitable  apprehensions  of,  or  hatred  to  sin,  as  sucli. 
They  may  hate  sin  in  some  instances,  in  its  effects 
or  consequences.  And  it  often  happens  that  one 
man  hates  the  sin  which  another  loves  and  practi- 
ces, and  he  in  his  turn,  loves  the  sin  which  the  oth- 
er hates.  Forgetfulness  of  God  and  our  obligatious 
to  him,  is  not  thought  of  by  an  unrenewed  man  or 
woman — nor  is  the  great  sin  of  unbelief  and  rejec- 
tion of  Christ  Jesus,  the  only  Saviour.  Yet  these 
things  probably,  form  no  small  items  in  the  cata- 
logue of  sins  over  which  the  believer  weeps  and 
mourns.  As  the  answer  taken  from  the  catechism, 
and  stated  above,  justly  says,  repentance  is  a  saving 
grace — a  saving  work  or  operation  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  on  the  sinner's  heart ;  but  as  it  respects  the 
duty  to  be  performed  on  the  part  of  the  renewed 
sinner  it  is  a  constant  and  unceasing  work.  Having 
his  soul  enlightened  to  discover  the  glory  and  ex- 
cellency of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  extent 
and  purity  of  the  divine  law;  and  seeing  and  feel- 
ing, as  he  does,  a  body  of  sin  and  death  still  work- 
ing within,  together  with  the  numberless  tempta- 
tions that  beset  him  from  without,  he  can  never  be 
at  a  loss  for  suitable  grounds  of  repentance.  Peni- 
tential sorrow,  instead  of  being  dreaded  and  avoid- 
ed by  the  christian,  is  cultivated  and  sought  after. 
He  finds  it  better  to  go  to  the  house  of  mourning 
than  to  the  house  of  feasting.  How  greatly  are 
the  men  of  the  world  deceived  respecting  christian 
experience!  They  think,  to  mourn  and  weep  on 
account  of  sin,  is  intolerable,  and  to  be  dreaded  as 
the  gi-eatest  evil ;  whereas  it  is  the  believer's  great 
grief  that  he  feels  so  little  of  these  appropriate  ex- 
ercises. It  is  his  constant  prayer  to  God  that  he 
would  soften  and  melt  his  hard  heart  into  penitential 


Ji  PFeek^s  Meditations,  S^c.  115 

sorrow.  A  hard  and  unfeeling  heart  is  the  con- 
stant subject  of  his  complaint.  To  be  freed  from 
sin  and  to  be  made  holy :  to  enjoy  the  presence 
of  God,  and  hunger  and  thirst  after  righteousness, 
constitute  his  principal  object  of  desire  and  pursuit. 
What  say  est  thou,  my  soul,  does  repentance  consti 
tute  thy  daily  employment  ?  or  is  it  only  a  tran- 
sient thing  occasioned  by  some  selfish  considera- 
tion ?  Dost  thou  rejoice  to  feel  its  salutary  effects, 
as  well-becoming  so  great  a  delinquent  as  thou  art  ? 

"  When  of  his  absence  we  complain, 
And  mourn  and  weep  in  all  we  do, 
There's  a  strange  pleasure  in  the  pain, 
And  tears  have  their  own  svv'eetness  too  ' 


SATURDAY. 

EVENING  MEDITATION. 

**  In  every  thing  give  thanks:  For  this  is  the  will 
of  God  in  Christ  Jesus  concerning  you."  Ingrati- 
tude, among  men,  is  considered  as  an  evidence  of 
the  deepest  depravity,  and  marked  with  a  corres- 
pondent indignity  and  contempt;  but  as  to  the  gra- 
titude we  owe  to  our  creator,  preserver,  and  kind 
benefactor,  it  seems  to  be  entirely  overlooked  and 
forgotten  by  the  generality  of  mankind. — The  pro- 
phet viewing  this  matter  in  relation  to  the  Jews, 
draws  a  contrast  between  them  and  the  brute  crea- 
tion, greatly  in  favour  of  the  latter:  "The  ox  know- 
eth  his  owner,  and  the  ass  his  master's  crib,  but 
Israel  doth  not  know,  my  people  do  not  consider." 
Although  we  consider  gratitude  as  being  distinct 
from  love,  yet  where  the  same  object  has  an  equal 
elaim  to  both,  it  is  not  always  necessary  to  separate 
K  2 


ilG  rf  TVceh's  Meditations,  ^-c: 

or  divide  them. — God  is  love:  Jesus  Clirist  is  alto- 
gether lovely :  The  Holy  Ghost  is  the  fountain  of 
every  hlessing  and  the  source  of  all  pure  and  holy 
affections:  justly  then,  is  God  entitled  to  all  our 
love  and  to  all  our  gratitude.  He  claims  our  undi- 
vided hearts,  not  only  by  right,  but  by  conquest 
and  by  purchase. — We  are  not  our  own  :  for,  wo 
were  bought  with  a  price.  We  were  not  redeemed 
with  corruptible  things,  as  silver  and  gold,  hut  with 
the  precious  blood  of  Christ."  Thanksgiving  for 
mercies  countless  as  the  sand  is  a  reasonable  service, 
but  alas  !  it  is  a  much  nesrlected  service.  Even 
among  christians  who  have  been  healed  of  the  le- 
prosy of  sin,  how  few  return  to  give  glor}'"  to  God 
in  any  degree  proportioned  to  the  benefits  received. 
Alas !  my  soul,  how  very  defective  art  thou  in  the 
performance  of  this  duty  !  How^  stupid  and  insen- 
sible under  the  receipt  of  mercies  innumerable  ! — ■ 
When  shall  it  once  be,  that  I  shall  feel  a  disposition 
to  render  to  my  God  according  to  benefits  received ! 
O  for  grace  this  heart  to  soften!  0  for  a  constant^ 
iiabitual,  and  impressive  sense  of  obligation  to  the 
God  of  all  my  mercies  !  of  my  salvatian  ! 

This  evening,  my  soul,  is  the  preparation,  and 
the  sabbath  is  drawing  on.  Thou  art  now  about  to 
close  another  week  and  enter  upon  another  sabbath. 
Dost  thou  rejoice  in  the  prospect  of  spending  ano^. 
tl\er  day  in  the  service  of  thy  God  ?  or  does  it  ra- 
iHer  afford  a  gloomy  and  dreary  pros]:iect,  as  most 
unquestionably  it  does  to  multitudes?  Canst  thou 
say  vvith  truth,  and  from  well-known  experience, 
that  *'  a  day  spent  in  the  service  of  God  is  better 
than  a  thousand.^"  "Better  is  it  to  be  a  door-keep- 
er in  the  house  of  God  than  to  dwell  in  the  tents 
of  wickedness." 

'  There's  nothins"  round  this  spacious  earth. 
That  suits  my  vast  desires : 


A  Week's  Meditations,  Ss-c.  H7 

To  more  refin'd  and  solid  mirth 

My  boundless  thought  aspires  ; 
In  hope  to  sing  without  a  sob, 

The  anthem  ever  new, 
I'd  gladly  bid  the  dusty  globe, 

And  vain  dehjrhts,  adieu." 


ON 

FORaZVENISSSS  OF  £3M£MZES. 


"If  thine  enemy  hunger,  feed  him ;  if  he  thirsty 
give  him  drink."  "If  any  man  have  a  quarrel 
against  any,  even  as  Christ  forgave  you,  so  also  do 
ye."  We  are  taught  to  pray  after  this  manner, 
"  Forgive  us  our  dehts  as  we  forgive  our  dehtors." 
From  the  foregoing  divine  precepts,  no  one,  who 
professes  a  belief  of  the  truth,  will  deny  that  for- 
giveness of  injuries  is  a  plain,  important,  and  posi- 
tive duty.  In  other  passages  we  are  taught,  that  a 
revengeful  disposition  is  directly  contrary  to  the 
letter  and  spirit  of  the  gospel.  We  should  culti- 
vate and  cherish  a  spirit  of  benevolence  and  good- 
will towards  all ;  and  agreeably  to  the  apostolic  in- 
]unction,  "If  it  be  possible,  and  as  much  as  lieth 
in  us,  live  peaceably  with  all  men,"  "Not  render- 
ing evil  for  evil,  &c." 

But  it  has  been  inquired,  may  not  cases  occur 
wherein  persons  may  be  justified,  in  full  consisten- 
cy with  the  christian  temper  and  character,  in  with- 
drawing from  the  society  and  fellowship  of  persons 
of  whose  characters  they  had  formed  an  erroneous 
opinion,  and  of  whose  temper  and  disposition  they 
are,  on  gospel  principles,  constrained  to  disapprove, 
and  yet  not  be  chargable  with  a  breach  of  charity 
or  violation  of  duty?  We  answer  in  the  affirmative. 
— Suppose  I  should  have  formed  an  acquaintance 
with  a  man  whose  governing  passion  is  anger,  the 
scriptures  instruct  me  to  "make  no  friendship  with 
an  angry  man:"  and  the  reason  is  given,  "lest 
thou  learn  his  ways,  and  get  a  snare  to  thy  soul." 


On  Forgiveness  of  Enemies.  119 

But  there  is  another  reason,  which,  on  christian 
principles,  will  justify  me  in  declining  any  further 
intercourse  with  this  man;  viz.  we  cannot  walk  to- 
gether, because  we  are  not  agreed; — there  must  be 
union  in  order  to  communion. 

Suppose  a  person  to  possess  many  valuable  gifts, 
and  to  stand  high  in  point  of  office  and  responsibi- 
Ht}'^ — I  respect  his  office,  and  I  revere  his  character 
while  imperfectly  known ;  but  on  a  more  intimate 
acquaintance,  I  find  him  governed  by  selfish  mo- 
tives, and  insensible  to  the  peace  and  happiness  of 
society,  having  only  his  own  interest  in  view,  and 
disregarding  every  consideration  at  variance  there- 
with :  am  I  bound  by  my  former  respect  for  such 
a  character,  to  esteem  him  as  what  I  supposed, 
or  as  what  I  find  him  to  be?     The  answer  is  ob- 
vious.— The  conduct  to  be  pursued  in  this  case  is 
clearly  pointed  out  by  the  apostle,  (Romans  xvi„ 
17,)  "Now,  I  beseech  you,  brethren,  mark  them 
which  cause  divisions  and  offences  contrary  to  the 
doctrine  which  ye  have  learned,  and  avoid  them.^^ 
Christian  liberty  is  clearly  distinguishable,  and  eve- 
ry where  recognised  throughout  the  New  Testa- 
ment.— It  teaches  us  to  beware  of  men — to  try  the 
spirits,  and  not  believe  every  spirit;  and  this  in 
perfect  consistency  with  the  exercise  of  that  cha- 
rity whicli  "  hopeth  all  things  and  thinketh  no 
evil."     While  it  affords  matter  of  regret,  to   be 
obliged  from  undoubted  evidence  to  change  the  fa- 
vourable opinion  we  had  formed  of  any  person,  we 
certainly  cannot  be  considered  as  in  bondage  in 
such  a  case.     We  may  still  exercise  a  benevolent 
disposition  toward  those  who  have  in  some  way  or 
other  constrained  us  to  withdraw  from  their  socie- 
ty, as  no  longer  tending  to  edification ;  and  if  we 
have  discovered  the  evil  tendency  of  their  consti- 
tutional or  acquired  habits,  it  is  our  duty  to  pre- 
vent by  every  prudent  means,  a  recurrence  of  such 


120  On  Forgiveness  of  Eneimcs. 

things  as  have  sprung  from  this  root  of  bitterness 
and  troubled  many.  Our  Saviour  has  pronounced 
a  wo  upon  the  world  because  of  offences,  and  espe- 
cially upon  those  through  or  by  whom  offences 
come ;  and  the  apostle  exhorts  the  Corinthians  to 
give  none  offence  to  the  Jews  nor  to  the  Gentiles, 
nor  to  the  church  of  God.  Offences  are  of  two 
kinds  in  a  moral  sense,  viz.  active  and  passive. — 
The  first  is  that  which  we  give  to  others  by  our 
words  or  actions,  and  the  second  that  which  we 
receive  from  the  words  or  actions  of  others.  How 
careful  was  the  apostle  Paul  to  avoid  giving  offence, 
lest  his  ministry  should  thereby  be  rendered  use- 
less, and  how  careful  should  all  succeeding  minis- 
ters of  the  gospel  be  in  this  particular,  as  the  im- 
prudent conduct  of  ministers  often  proves  a  stum- 
bling block  in  the  way  of  sinners,  and  grieves 
those  who  would,  but  cannot  profit  by  their  minis- 
trations ! 


AN  ADDRESS 


USEFULNESS  AND  IMPORTANCE 

OF 

BIBLE  SOCIETIES, 

AND  THE 
PRACTICAL  INFLUENCE  AND  EXCELLENCE 


ItlOl^H:  SORIPTUl^lSS. 


READ  BEFORE  THE  BIBLE  SOCIETY  OF  PHILADELPHIA, 

May  3d,  1815, 

BY   THE   AUTHOR, 


AN  ADDRESS,  &c. 


]\Ir.  President, 

The  happy  tendency  of  Bible  Societies  is  no 
longer  a  matter  of  doubt  or  uncertainty  in  the 
christian  world. 

Their  rapid,  and  extensive  growth,  in  Europe 
and  America,  and  their  benign  and  salutary  effects, 
excite  at  once  our  wonder  and  our  gratitude;  and 
we  are  constrained  to  exclaim  in  the  language  of 
Scripture,  "What  hath  God  wrought?^' 

The  interesting  report  which  has  just  been  read, 
affords  conclusive  evidence  of  the  powerful  influ- 
ence of  example  in  a  good  cause. 

It  is  but  a  few  years,  since  this  Society  was  es- 
tablished, and  stood  alone  in  America.  Now,  we 
report  the  existence,  and  growing  prosperity,  of 
seventy-five  sister  institutions,  all  on  the  same  lib- 
eral plan  ;  and  all  zealously  engaged  in  diffusing 
the  Word  of  life. 

We  solicit,  Sir,  your  indulgence  while  we  mak^ 
a  few  remarks  on  the  usefulness  and  importance  of 
Bible  Societies,  and  the  practical  influehce  and  ex- 
cellence of  the  Holy  Scriptures. 

If  a  remedy  could  be  found,  suited  to  every  dis- 
ease, incident  to  the  human  frame,  how  valuable 
would  it  be  considered  ?  how  highly  would  it  be 
prized  ?  and  how  generally  would  it  be  resorted 
to  ?  But  if  this  invaluable  restorative  could  only 
be  procured  by  those  in  aiHuence,  how  enviable 
would  their  situation  be  considered,  as  affording 
exclusively  the  means  of  securing  the  inestimable 
blessing:  of  heallli. 
I. 


124  t/lddresa  cm  the  Usefulness  and 

In  this  case,  let  us  suppose  a  society  formed  for 
the  benevolent  purpose  of  supplying:  the  poor,  and 
all  who  should  feel  themselves  under  the  influence 
©f  disease.  Who  that  had  the  power,  would  not 
rejoice  in  the  privilege  of  becoming  a  member  of 
this  society  ;  and  seek  with  avidity,  the  gratifica- 
tion which  would  arise  from  administering  thfs 
healing  balm  to  the  destitute  and  afflicted.  ?  What 
such  a  remedy  would  be  to  the  body,  the  Bible 
is  to  the  soul.  It  points  out  "  A  sovereign  balm  far 
every  wound,''  and  through  the  liberality  and  be- 
nevolence of  Bible  Societies  it  is  now  ready  to  be 
distributed  to  the  poor,  "  AVithout  money  and  with- 
out price.''  Yes,  to  the  poor  this  healing  fountain 
i&  now  open,  and  by  this  sovereign,  this  all-power- 
ful remedy,  not  only  the  diseased,  and  the  dying, 
even  the  dead  are  restored  to  health  and  vigour. 

This  is  no  hyperbole — no  ideal  or  imaginary  re- 
presentation. It  is  real,  and  their  are  many  who 
can  testify  to  the  fact  from  their  own  experience. 
The  prediction  has  been  fulfilled — the  time  has  ar- 
rived ^^  When  the  dead  hear  the  voice  of  the  Son 
of  God  (in  his  word)  and  hearing  they  live.'' 

And  how  has  this  mighty  work  been  accom- 
plished ?  By  what  means  have  these  wonderful  ef- 
fects been  produced  ?  We  answ^er,  by  this  Sacred 
Book — by  this  Word  of  Life — by  the  Bible. — 
And  shall  this  inestimable  book  any  longer  be  ne- 
glected or  unknown?  Forbid  it  every  generous — 
every  pious  heart. 

But  it  cannot  be — the  long  predicted  period  has 
arrived — a  new  and  glorious  era  has  commenced, 
and  "  The  knowledge  of  the  Lord  (as  we  fondly 
hope)  is  aljout  to  cover  the  earth  as  the  waters  cov~ 
er  the  sea.'^ 

Behold  !  the  innumerable  hosts  who  have  put 
their  hands  to  this  glorious  w^ork,  who  have  come 
wp  to  the  •'  Help  of  the  Lord — to  the  help  of  the- 


Lnportance  of  Bible  Societies,  125 

Lord  against  the  mighty."  And  let  it  be  recorded 
on  the  hearts  of  all  who  rejoice  in  the  prosperity 
of  Zion,  that  in  this  glorious  work  of  disseminating 
the  Scriptures  of  truth,  there  is  but  one  heart  and 
one  voice — not  a  discordant  note — not  a  jarring 
sound.  The  universal  chorus  seems  to  be 

"  Let  party  names  no  more 
The  christian  world  o'crspread." 

This  effect,  singly  and  alone,  produced  and  cher- 
ished as  it  has  been,  by  Bible  Societies,  affords  more 
cause  of  joy  and  rejoicing  to  every  pious  and  benev- 
olent heart,  than  all  the  narrow  and  selfish  advanta- 
ges ever  obtained  by  a  sectarian  spirit. 

What  a  source  of  pleasing  reflection  does  it  af- 
ford, to  see  this  spirit  of  union  and  harmony  pre- 
vail among  the  followers  of  the  Redeemer.  Well 
may  we  say,  in  the  words  of  the  pious  Psalmist — ■ 
*'  Behold  how  good  and  how  pleasant  it  is  for 
brethren  to  dwell  together  in  unit}^ — it  is  like  the 
precious  ointment  upon  the  head,  that  ran  down  up- 
on the  beard,  even  Aaron's  beard,  that  went  down 
to  the  skirts  of  his  garments — as  the  dew  of  Her- 
mon  and  as  the  dew  that  descended  upon  the 
mountains  of  Zion." 

To  those.  Sir,  who  have  had  the  honour  of  shar- 
ing with  you,  in  the  management  of  this  institu- 
tion, this  sentiment  must  aflbrd  the  most  pleasing 
retrospect.  The  happy  union  and  undisturbed 
harmony,  with  which  our  feeble  efforts  have  been 
accompanied,  have  rendered  the  performance  of 
duty  a  most  pleasing  work  and  labour  of  love ;  and 
greatly  encourage  us  to  hope,  ^'that  our  labour  has 
not  been  altogether  in  vain  in  the  Lord."  When 
we  view  the  spread  of  Missionaiy,  of  Bible,  and 
of  Tract  Societies,  have  we  not  ground  to  hope, 
that  tlie  Lord  is  about  to  take  to  himself  his  great 


126  Address  on  the  Usefulness  and 

power,  and  reign,  king  of  nations,  as  he  is  king 
of  saints. 

In  the  united  efforts  of  the  pious  of  all  denomi- 
nations, to  promote  the  great  interests  of  the  Re- 
deemer's kingdom,  do  we  not  discover  the  harbin- 
ger of  good  things  to  come  ? 

The  angry  and  selfish  passions,  too  long  suffered 
to  separate  and  divide  those  engaged  in  the  same 
glorious  cause,  have  vanished  from  our  sight ;  and 
the  benevolent  and  compassionate  spirit  of  the  gos- 
pel, appears  to  have  taken  their  place.  Surely, 
"this  is  the  Lord's  doing,  and  it  is  marvellous  in 
our  eyes."  "  Let  the  people  praise  thee,  0  God, 
let  all  the  people  praise  thee.'^ 

Do  w^e  not  hear  the  appropriate  and  comforting 
language  of  the  Prophet  to  the  church,  as  it  were, 
addressed  to  our  ears,  in  these  latter  days — in  these 
ends  of  the  earth  :  ''  Enlarge  the  place  of  thy  tent, 
and  let  them  stretch  forth  the  curtains  of  thine 
habitations. — Spare  not,  lengthen  thy  cords  and 
strengthen  thy  stakes,  for  thou  shalt  break  forth 
on  the  right  hand  and  on  the  left,  and  thy  seed 
shall  inherit  the  Gentiles  and  make  the  desolate 
cities  to  be  inhabited."  And  the  believer  under 
the  animating  view  of  Zion's  prosperity — the  hope 
of  greater  blessings  yet  to  come,  and  in  the  exer- 
cise of  faith  and  holy  zeal,  is  ready  to  respond  with 
joyful  acclamation  in  the  words  of  the  sacred  pen- 
man— "Awake,  awake,  put  on  strength  0  arm  of 
the  Lord.-  Awake  as  in  the  ancient  days,  in  the 
generations  of  old. — Art  thou  not  it  that  hath  cut 
Rahab  and  wounded  the  Dragon?  Art  thou  not  it 
which  hath  dried  the  sea,  the  waters  of  the  great 
deep,  that  hath  made  the  depths  of  the  sea  a  way 
for  thy  ransomed  to  pass  over." 

We  will  now  briefly  enumerate  some  of  the  pe- 
culiar advantages  which  the  believer  enjoys  from 
the    Holy  Scriptures.     And  first,  we  say  oC  this 


Importance  of  Bible  Societies,  127 

sacred  volume  generally,  "As  the  apple-tree  among 
the  trees  of  the  wood/' so  is  the  Bible  in  compari- 
son of  all  other  books.  In  the  sacred  scriptures 
we  have  the  words  of  eternal  life,  and  they  are 
they  which  testify  of  tiic  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  In 
the  world  saith  the  blessed  Saviour  to  his  disciples, 
ye  shall  have  tribulation  ;  but  be  of  good  cheer,  I 
have  overcome  the  world.  His  people  have  not 
been  left  comfortless — the  spirit  in  the  word  has 
been  to  them  as  rivers  of  water  in  a  dry  place,  and 
as  the  shadow  of  a  great  rock  in  a  weary  land. — 
How  often  under  the  greatest  trials  and  most  severe 
conflicts  have  they  been  constrained  to  adopt  the 
impressive  language  of  the  apostle — "  Blessed  be 
God,  even  the  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
the  father  of  mercies  and  the  God  of  all  comfort, 
who  comforteth  us  in  all  tribulations,  that  we  may 
be  able  to  comfort  them  which  are  in  any  trouble, 
by  the  comfort  wherewith  we  ourselves  are  com- 
forted of  God.''  Our  light  affliction,  saith  the  same 
apostle,  which  is  but  for  a  moment,  worketh  for  us 
a  far  more  exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glory. 

Are  the  people  of  God  brought  into  great  straits 
and  difficulties,  such  as  effect  their  dearest  interests 
— how  consoling  is  the  language  and  example  of 
his  servants  of  old,  ^'  It  is  the  Lord  (saith  one,  un- 
der a  heavy  affliction)  let  him  do  whatseemeth  him 
good."  Of  Aaron  under  a  most  severe  trial  it  is 
recorded,  "And  Aaron  held  his  peace."  "The 
Lord  gave  and  the  Lord  hath  taken  away,  blessed 
be  the  name  of  the  Lord,"  saith  the  patient  and  af- 
flicted Job. 

In  the  prophet  Habbakuk  we  have  these  memor- 
able words,  "  Although  the  fig-tree  shall  not  blos- 
som, neither  shall  fruit  be  in  the  vine — the  labour 
of  the  olive  shall  fail  and  the  fields  shall  yield  no 
meat — the  flock  shall  be  cut  ofl'  from  the  fold,  and 

L  2 


I2S  *.iddress  07i  ike  Usefulness  anc^ 

there  shall  be  no  herd  in  the  stall,  yet  I  will  rejoice 
in  the  Lord,  I  will  joy  in  the  God  of  my  salvation.'* 

How  often  has  the  trembling  believer  found  the 
Bible  a  sure  source  of  comfort  in  the  time  of 
trouble.  It  is  then  and  then  only,  when  all  created 
streams  are  dry — when  all  earthly  cisterns  are 
empty,  and  broken,  that  the  value  of  this  most 
precious  Book  can  in  any  suitable  degree  be  real- 
ized. How  unwisely  then  do  those  act,  who  ne- 
glect this  sacred  volume,  and  spend  the  whole  of 
a  b-usy  life  in  building  an  airy  superstructure  of 
sublunary  bliss  ;  without  foundation,  and  liable  ev- 
ery moment  to  be  swept  away. 

But  contrast  with  this  the  man  who  derives  his 
hope,  his  comfort  and  his  support  from  the  Bible — 

"  Let  cares  like  a  wild,  dehigc  come, 
And  storms  of  sorrow  fall," 

His  hopes  and  comforts  are  built  on  a  solid  rock — 
on  a  secure  foundation.  Let  his  earthly  possessions 
— his  health,  or  his  friends,  be  taken  away,  still  he 
can  say  vvitli  the  poet — (v.hile  he  retains  his  Bible) 

"  Let  the  world  account  me  poor, 
Having  this  I  ask  no  more.' 

Another  unspeakable  source  of  consolation  found 
in  the  Bible,  is,  that  it  points  the  weary  and  heavy 
laden  to  a  place  of  rest.  The  believer  while  he 
sojourns  here  Is  in  a  state  of  continual  conflict. 

"  A  wicked  world  and  wicked  heart 
With  Satan  now  are  joined, 
Each  acts  a  too  successful  part 
In  harrasshig  his  mind.' 

Peihaps  there  are  few  sensations  of  the  chris- 
tian's heart,   whicli  ho   can  more   clearly  and  di«- 


Importance  of  Bible  Societies.  10^ 

tinctly  recognize,  than  that  of  which  we  are  now 
speaking.  Although  he  may  often  be  oppressed 
with  doubts  and  fears,  and  unable  to  speak  the  lan- 
guage of  assurance,  yet  he  can  say  with  the  poet — 

"  Does  the  gospel  word  proclaim 
Rest  for  those  who  weary  be, 
Then,  my  soul,  put  in  thy  claim, 
Sure  that  promise  speaks  to  thee, 
Marks  of  grace  I  cannot  shew, 
All  polluted  is  my  best, 
Yet  I  weary  am,  1  know, 
And  the  weary  long  for  rest." 

Experience  has  taught  him,  that  he  is  not  to  look 
for,  or  expect  a  discharge  from  this  warfare  herfe 
below  :  yet  he  is  cheered  and  comforted  under  his 
various  trials,  in  the  happy  prospect  w^hich  is  open- 
ed to  his  view  in  the  holy  scriptures — there  he 
reads,  ^'  There  remaineth  a  rest  for  the  people  of 
God."^  ^'Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the 
Lord,  from  henceforth — yea  saith  the  spirit,  that 
they  may  rest  from  their  labours."  "There  the 
wicked  cease  from  troubling,  there  the  weary  are 
at  rest.'' 

How  w^elcome  to  the  weary,  w-ar-worn  christian, 
the  cheering  prospect  of  the  accomplishment  of  all 
his  wishes,  in  an  exemption  from  sin,  from  toil  and 
danger ;  and  in  the  secure  possession  and  enjoy- 
ment of  those  things  which  God  hath  prepared  for 
ihem  that  love  him — such  as  cyo  hath  not  seen, 
jior  ear  heard,  neither  have  entered  into  the  heart 
of  man.  How  animating  the  triumphant  hnguage 
Q^  the  apostle — "  I  have  fought  a  good  fight,  I  have 
nnished  my  course,  I  have  kept  the  faith — hence- 
forth there  is  laid  up  for  me  a  crown  of  righteous- 
ness, which  the  Lord,  the  righteous  judge  shall 
give  me  at  that  da}',  and  not  to  me  only,  but  unt© 
ail  them  also  that  love  his  appearing." 


130  ^^ddress  on  the  Usefulness  and 

Again,  we  notice  the  inestimable  worth  of  this 
precious  Book,  on  a  dying  bed.  T/iis  is  a  situation 
which  may  be  said  with  truth,  to  try  men's  souls, 
and  happy  the  man  who  can  then  adopt  the  lan- 
guage of  the  Psalmist,  '^  Though  I  walk  through 
the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death  I  will  fear  no 
evil,  for  thou  art  with  me — thy  rod  and  thy  staff 
they  comfort  me/'  That  sacred  word  on  which 
the  believer  has  fixed  his  hope,  be  now  finds  as  an 
anchor  to  the  soul  both  sure  and  stedfast ;  and  on 
this  foundation  he  can  quietly  rest,  even  when  heart 
and  flesh  faint  and  fail ;  and  the  bright  prospect 
v.-hich  is  sometimes  presented  to  the  view  of  the 
dying  believer,  enables  him  to  say, 

•'  Jesus  can  make  a  dying  bed 
Feel  soft  as  downy  pillows  are." 

On  the  subject  of  pecuniary  aid  to  this  Society, 
little  need  be  said.  It  is  known  that  money  is  ne- 
cessary and  that  money  is  now  wanted.  Let  those 
therefore,  w^ho  have  the  means,  and  the  disposition 
to  contribute,  give  as  the  Lord  hath  prospered 
them — not  grudgingly,  or  of  necessity,  "for  the 
Lord  loveth  the  cheerful  giver."  There  are  those, 
(and  we  trust  many  such  present)  who  can  from 
their  own  experience,  testify  io  the  truth  of  that 
divine  aphorism  recorded  by  the  apostle,  "It  is 
more  blessed  to  give  than  to  receive." 

Nor  is  the  pleasure  of  relieving  the  wants  of  oth- 
ers, the  only  reward  of  charity  and  benevolence. 
The  Scriptures  assure  us  that,  "  The  liberal  soul 
shall  be  made  fat,  and  he  that  watereth  shall  be  wa- 
tered also  himself." 

What  an  endearing  relation  does  our  gracious 
Saviour  recognize  as  subsisting  between  himself 
and  the  meanest  of  his  followers  :  "  Inasmuch 
(saith  he)  as  ye  have  done  it  unto  one  of  the  least 


Importance  of  Bible  Societies.  181 

of  these  my  brethren,  ye  have  done  it  unto  me.'' — 
And  again,  "Whosoever  shall  give  to  drink  unto 
one  of  these  little  ones,  a  cup  of  cold  water  only^ 
in  the  name  of  a  disciple,  verily  I  say  unto  you,  he 
shall  in  no  wise  lose  his  reward." 

If  our  gracious  Saviour  has  promised  to  notice 
and  to  reward  the  gift  of  charity,  although  in  a 
cup  of  cold  water  only,  may  we  not  fondly  hope, 
he  will  accept  with  complacency  the  gratuitous  of- 
fering of  the  Word  of  Life. 

But  few  of  us  have  been  called  to  the  honoura- 
ble, the  arduous  office  of  preaching  the  gospel. — 
But  let  us  rejoice  that  we  have  the  opportunity  of 
being  as  it  were,  pioneers  in  this  blessed  work  of 
spreading  the  Sacred  Scriptures. 

The  object  to  which  the  contributions  of  this 
evening  will  be  appropriated  deserves  particular 
notice.  It  is  to  procure  stereotype  plates,  with  a 
large  sized  type  for  the  use  of  the  aged  and  infirm. 
How  much  this  will  add  to  th^  comforts  and  con- 
venience of  thousands  who  make  the  Bible  the 
man  of  their  counsel  must  be  obvious  to  all. 

Let  those  then,  who  have  tasted  that  the  Lord  is 
gracious,  and  those  who  believe  the  Bible  contains 
the  words  of  eternal  life,  let  all  such,  now  remem- 
ber the  poor,  the  aged,  and  such  as  are  either  desti- 
tute of  the  Bible — or  through  infirmit}',  unable  to 
read  the  small  type,  and  practically  say,  ^'  of  thine 
own  Lord,  have  we  given  thee  :"  For  thine  is  the 
kingdom,  and  the  power,  and  the  glory,  for  ever 
and  ever.     Amen. 


ADVERTISEMENT. 

At  the  time  when  proposals  for  pub- 
lishing Mr.  Haslett's  posthumous  papers, 
were  issued,  and  until  after  several  Forms 
were  printed,  it  was  supposed  that  the 
manuscripts  would  make  upwards  of  two 
hundred  pages.  But  the  printer  who 
made  the  calculations  was  mistaken. — 
Mistakes,  however,  do  not  exonerate  from 
the  duty  of  fulfilling  the  promises  of  the 
proposals.  The  Extracts  from  Mr.  Has- 
lett's favourite  author,  are,  therefore,  ad- 
ded. "  The  Touchstone  of  Sincerity^'' 
written  by  the  Rev.  John  Flavel,  has, 
for  about  one  hundred  and  sixty  years, 
been  high  in  the  esteem  of  the  churches. 


EXTRACTS  FROM 
THE 

TOUGHSTONB 

OF 

OR, 

THE  SIGNS  OF  GRACE, 

AND 

SYMPTOMS  OF  HYPOCRISY, 


BY  JOKY^FLAVEL. 


EXTRACT 

FROM    MK.    FLAVEl's    EPISTLE    TO    THE    HEAOEK. 

*'  Reader, 

The  time  will  come  when  they  that  scoff  at  the 
serious  diligence  of  the  saints,  and  break  many  » 
pleasant  jest  upon  the  most  solemn  and  awful 
things  in  religion,  will  tremble  when  they  shall 
hear  the  midnight  cry,  Behold  the  bridegroom 
Cometh  !  and  see  the  lamps  of  all  vain  and  formal 
professors  expire,  and  none  admitted  into  the  mar- 
riage but  such  whose  lamps  are  furnished  with  oil ; 
that  is,  such  whose  professions  and  duties  are  en- 
livened and  maintained,  by  vital  springs  and  prin- 
ciples of  real  grace  within  them. 

The  design  of  this  Manual  is  to  bring  everv 
man's  gold  to  tlie  touchstone  and  fire ;  I  mean 
every  man's  grace  to  the  trial  of  the  word  ;  that, 
thereby  we  may  know  wliat  we  are,  what  we  have, 
and  what  we  must  expect  and  trust  to,  at  the 
Lord's  coming.  I  pretend  not  to  any  gift  of  dh^ 
cerninsf  spirits.  But  the  ordinary  aids  and  as- 
sistances of  the  Spirit  are  with  us  still,  and  the  live- 
ly Oracles  are  among  us  still.  To  them  we  may 
freely  go  to  resolve  all  doubts,  and  decide  perplex- 
ed cases.  And  thus  we  may  discern  our  own  spi- 
rits, though  we  want  the  extraordinary  gift  of  dis- 
cerning other  men's  spirits. 

I  have  little  to  say  of  this  treatise  in  thy  liands. 
more  than  that  it  is  well  aimed  and  designed,  how- 
ever it  be  managed. 

It  is  not  the  {>leasing.  but  profiting  of  a  man.  that 
I  have  herein  laboured  for.  1  know  of  nothing  ir* 
it,  that  is  like  to  wound  the  upright,  or  siightiv  heai 
M 


13&  Epkile  to  (he  Reader. 

the  hypocrite,  by  crying  peace,  Peace,  peace,  whe/t 
there  is  no  peace.  The  Scripture  hath  been  my 
<3ruide  ;  by  its  light,  I  have  followed  in  search  of 
hypocrisy  through  the  labyrinths  of  the  heart. — 
Some  assistance  I  hope  I  have  had  also  from  expe- 
rience; for  scripture  and  experience  are  such  rela- 
tives, and  the  tie  betwixt  them  so  discernible,  that 
nothing  in  nature  can  be  more  so.  What  we  feel 
in  our  hearts,  we  might  have  read  in  the  scriptures 
before  ever  we  felt  it. 

Tb.at  the  blessing  of  God  may  go  farth  with  it^ 
and  accompany  it  to  thy  soul,  reader,  is  the  heart's^ 
desire  and  prayer  of, 

Thine  and  the  Churches 
Servant  in  Christ, 

JOHN  FLAVEI../'' 


THE 

OR,  THE  SIGNS  OF  GRACE,  AND  SYMPTOMS  OF  HYPOCRISY.. 


'Because  thou  sayest  I  am  rich,  and  increased  with  goods, 
and  have  need  of  nothing ;  and  knowest  not  that  thou  aft 
wretched  and  miserable,  and  poor  and  blind,  and  no- 
ked:  I  counsel  thee  to  buy  of  me  Gold  tried  in  the  fire, 
ihat  thou  mayest  be  rich ;  and  white  raiment  that  thou 
mnyest  be  clothed,  and  that  the  shame  of  thy  nakedness 
do  not  appear ;  and  anoint  thine  eyes  with  eye-salve^ 
that  thou  mayest  see.     Revelations  iil  17,  18. 


CHAR  L 


Cold  is  the  complexion  and  natural  temper  t)f 
those  that  are  wholly  alienated  and  estranged  from 
Christ  and  religion.  Hot,  is  the  gracious  temper 
of  those  that  know  and  love  Jesus  Christ  in  an  ex- 
celling degree.  Lukewarm,  or  Tepid,  is  the  tem- 
per of  those  who  have  too  much  religion  to  be  es- 
teemed carnal,  and  too  little  to  be  truly  spiritual;  a 
generation  that  is  too  Politic  to  venture  much,  and 
yet  so  foolish  as  to  lose  all.  They  are  loath  to 
forsake  truth  ivholhj,  and  more  loath  to  follow  it 
too  closely.  The  form  of  religion  they  affect  as  an 
honour,  the  power  of  it  they  judge  a  burden. 

This  is  that  temper  which  the  Lord  hates;  and 
this  was  the  disease  of  Laodicea,  which  Christ,  the 
great  and  only  Heart-Anatomist  and  Soul-Physi- 
^i<tn..  discovers  in  verse  17,  and  prescribes  a  cure 


1 38  Tlit  Touehstont  of  Sincerity/, 

for  in  verse  18.  So  that  the  words  resolve  them' 
selves  into  two  parts;  viz. 

I.  A  faithful  discovery  \  II.  a  proper  remedij  of 
the  disease  of  Lsodicea. 

I.  Their  disease  is  faithfully  discovered  to  them, 
in  its  symptoms,  cause,  and  aggravations. 

First,  Its  Symptoms',  an  unconcerned,  indiffer- 
ent, regardless  spirit  in  matters  of  religion,  neither 
hot  nor  cold ;  the  true  temper  o^ formal-professors, 
ivho  never  engaged  theinselves  thoroughly  and 
heartily  in  the  ways  of  God,  bur  can  take  or  leave, 
as  times  govern,  and  wordly  interest  comes  to  be 
concerned. 

Secondly,  Its  cause  and  root;  which  is  the  de- 
fect and  ivant  of  the  truth,  and  power  of  inward 
grace,  noted  in  these  expressions.  Thou  art  wretch- 
ed and  miserable,  poor,  blind,  and  naked ;  that  is, 
thou  art  destitute  of  a  real  principle  a  solid  work 
of  grace.  These  five  epithets  do  all  point  at  one 
and  the  same  thing;  namely,  the  defectiveness  and 
rottenness  of  their  foundation.  The  two  first, 
wretched  and  miserable,  are  more  general,  conclu- 
ding them  in  a  sad  condition,  a  very  sinful  and  la- 
mentable estate.  The  three  \d.?,t,poor,  blind  and 
naked,  are  more  particular;  pointing  at  those  grand 
defects  and  flaws  in  the  foundation,  which  made 
fheir  condition  so  wretched  and  miserable. 

1.  Poor  ;  that  is,  void  of  righteousness  and  true 
holiness  before  God.  These  are  the  true  riches  of 
Christians,  and  whoever  wants  them,  is  poor  and 
miserable,  how  rich  soever  he  be  in  gifts  of  the 
mind,  or  treasures  of  the  earth. 

2.  Blind;  that  is  tvithouf  spiritual  ilhimi- 
nation,  and  so  neither  knowing  their  disease  nor 
their  remedy  ;  the  evil  of  sin,  or  necessity  of  Christ. 

3.  Naked;  ivithotit  Christ,  and  his  righteous- 
ness. Sin  is  the  soul's  shame  and  nakedness; 
•^  Christ's  pure  and  perfect  righteousness  is  its  co- 


77^e  Touchstone  of  Sincerity,  139 

Tering  or  garment.'*  This  they  wanted,  how  richly 
isoever  their  bodies  were  adorned.  These  were 
Laodiceans ;  that  is,  a  just,  or  righteous  people  (ac- 
cording to  the  meaning  of  that  word]  whose  gar- 
ments with  which  they  covered  themselves,  were 
made  of  the  home-spun  thread  of  their  own  right- 
eousness. 

Thirdly,  The  disease  oi Laedicea  is  here  opened 
to  them  in  its  aggravations.     '  Thou  saidst  lam 
rich,  and  increased  with  goods,  and  have  need  of- 
nothing  ;  but  knowest  not,"*  &e. 

To  be  really  graceless  and  Christless  is  a  miser- 
able condition :  but  to  be  so,  and  yet  confidently 
persuaded  of  the  contrary,  is  most  miserable.  To 
have  the  very  symptoms  of  death  upon  us,  and  yet 
tell  those  that  pity  us,  we  are  as  well  as  they,  is 
lamentable  indeed  ! 

O  the  efficacy  of  a  spiritual  delusion  !  Their 
disease  was  gmcelessness,  and  the  aggravation  of 
it,  was  their  senselessness. 

II.  We  have  a  proper  remedy  prescribed,  verse 
18.  /  counsel  thee  to  buy  of  me  gold  tried  in 
the  fire,  that  thou  may  est  be  rich,  <^c.  In  which 
we  have  to  consider.  First,  what  is  prescribed  for 
the  cure.  Secondly,  where  it  is  to  be  had.  Third- 
ly, how  to  be  obtained. 

First,  What  are  the  remedies  prescribed  ?  Thev 
are  three — gold,  v/hite  raiment,  and  eye-salve. — ■ 
First,  gold,  the  cure  of  poverty,  yea,  gold  tried  in 
the  fire  ;  that  is,  grace  that  kath  been  variously 
proved  already.  And  the  more  it  is  proved,  the 
more  its  truth  will  be  conspicuous.  The  next  is 
white  raiment,  the  remedy  a2;ainst  nakedness. — ■ 
And,  lastly,  eye-salve  ;  the  effectual  cure  of  blind- 
ness. Under  all  these  choice  metaphors  more 
choice  and  excellent  things  are  shadowed,  even 
spiritual  2:races ;  real  holiness,  more  precious  than 
gold  ;  Christ^s  imputed  righteousness,  the  richest 
M  2 


140  The.  Touchstone  c-f  Sincerity. 

garment  in  all  the  wardrobe  of  heaven;  and  spiri- 
tual illumination,  the  most  excellent  eye-salve  that 
ever  waS;  or  can  be  applied  to  the  m.ental  eye,  or 
understanding  of  man  in  this  world. 

Secondly^  Where  may  these  precious  remedies 
be  had  ?  Christ  hath  the  monopoly  of  them  all. — 
Buy  of  me,  saith  Christ  in  the  text.  He  is  the 
repository  of  all  graces.  Angels,  ministers,  ordi- 
nances  cannot  furnish  you  with  them,  without 
Christ. 

Thirdly,  How  may  they  be  obtained  from  him  ? 
Buy  of  VIS.  But  what  have  they,  that  are  poor, 
wretched,  miserable,  and  icant  all  thi7igs,  to  give 
as  price,  or  by  way  of  merit,  for  those  inesi  iniable 
treasures  of  grace  ?  Buying  in  this  place,  can  sig- 
nify or  intend  no  more  than  the  acquisition,  com- 
passing, or  obtaining  these  things  from  Jesus 
Christ,  in  the  use  of  such  means  and  methods  as  he 
hath  appointed.  In  the  use  of  them  we  merit 
grace  no  more  than  tl>e  patient  merits  of  his  phy- 
sician by  coming  to  1  im,  and  carefully  following 
his  prescriptions  in  the  use  of  such  medicines,  as 
he  freely  gives  him.  And  that  place,  Isa.  Iv.  1, 
from  which  this  phrase  seems  to  be  borrowed,  fully 
clears  it.  "  He  that  hath  no  money,  let  him  come 
and  buy  wine  and  milk  without  money  and  with- 
out price." 

From  all  which,  these  three  observations  fairly 
offer  themselves  to  us. 

DocT.  1.  That  many  professors  of  religion  are 
under  very  great  and  dangerous  mistakes  in 
their  profession. 

DocT.  2.  That  true  grace  is  exceeding  precious, 
and  greatly  enriches  the  soul  that  possesseth  it. 

DocT.  3.  That  only  is  to  be  accounted  true  grace, 
which  is  able'^to  endure  all  those  trials  ap- 
pointed, or  permitted  for  the  discovepy  of  it. 


The  Touchstone  of  Sincerity.  141 

The  firsl  doctrine  naturally  rises  out  of  the  scope 
of  the  text,  which  is  to  awsken  and  convince  un- 
sound professors. 

The  second,  frcm  the  use  the  H0I3'  Ghost  makes 
of  the  best  and  choicest  things  in  nature,  to  shadow 
forth  the  inestimable  worth  and  preciousness  of 
grace. 

And  the  third,  from  that  particular,  and  most 
significant  mataphor  oi  gold  tried  in  the  fire  ;  by 
which  I  here  unde  stand  a  real  and  solid  work  of 
grace,  evidencing  itself  to  be  so  in  all  the  proofs 
and  trials  that  are  made  of  it.  For  whatsoever  is 
probational  of  grace,  and  puts  its  soundness  and 
sincerity  to  the  test,  is  that  to  it  which  fire  is  to 
gold.  In  this  sense  it  is  used  in  Scripture,  Psalm 
Ixvi.  10.  Ttioit  hast  tried  us  as  silver  is  tried. 
Also  Zech.xiii.  9.  /  ivill  bring  the  third  part 
through  the  fire,  and  loill  refine  them  as  silver 
is  refined,  and  ti^y  them  as  gold  is  tried.  So 
that  whatsoever  it  is  which  examines  and  tries 
grace,  whether  it  be  sound  and  sincere,  that  is  the 
fire  Christ  here  speaks  of;  and  such  grace  as  abides 
these  trials,  is  the  gold  here  intended. 


CHAP.  II. 
DOCT.  I 


That  many  prof essors  of  religion  are  wider  very 
great  and  dangerous  mistakes  in  their  pro- 
fessio?is. 


SECT.     I. 


All  flattery  is  dangerous,  Self-flattery  is  more 
dangerous.  Self-flattery  in  the  business  of  salva- 
tion, is  the  most  dangerous  of  all. 


142  The  Touchstone  of  Siiiceriiy, 

To  pretend  to  the  good  we  know  we  have  not, 
is  gross  hypocrisy ;  to  persuade  ourselves  of  the 
good  wc  have  not,  though  we  think  we  have  it,  is 
formal  hypocrisy.  This  was  the  case  of  those  self- 
deceivers  in  the  text. 

My  design  in  this  discourse  is  not  to  shake  the 
well-built  hopes  of  any  man,  or  beget  groundless 
jealousies;  but  to  discover  the  real  dangerous  flaws 
in  the  foundation  of  many  men's  hopes  of  heaven. 
Every  thing  is  as  its  foundation  is,  that  failing,  all 
fails. 

There  is  a  twofold  self-suspicion  or  fear  in  God's 
own  people.  The  one  is  a  fear  of  caution^  awa- 
king the  soul  to  the  use  of  all  preventive  means  for 
avoiding  danger.  This  is  laudable.  The  other  a 
groundless  suspicion  of  reigning  hypocrisy,  tend- 
ing only  to  despondency.  This  is  culpable.  By 
the  former  the  soul  is  guarded  against  danger  ;  by 
the  latter  it  is  betrayed  into  needless  trouble,  and 
debarred  iroxn  peace. 

Good  men  have  sometimes  more  fear  than  they 
jjught,  and  wicked  men  have  less  than  they  ought. 
The  former  do  sometimes  shut  their  eyes  against 
the  fair  evidences  of  their  own  graces  ;  the  latter 
shut  their  eyes  against  the  sad  evidences  of  their 
sin  and  misery.  This  is  an  evil  in  both,  but  not 
equally  dangerous;  for  he  that  shuts  his  eyes  against 
his  own  graces  and  privileges,  loseth  his  peace  and 
comfort  but  for  a  time,  but  he  that  shuts  his  eyes 
against  the  evidences  of  his  sin  and  misery,  loseth 
his  precious  soul  to  all  eternity.  Of  this  latter 
sort  of  self-deceivers  the  world  is  full,  and  these 
are  the  men  I  am  concerned  with  in  this  point. 

Oh,  that  some  men  had  less  trouble  !  And  oh, 
that  some  had  more  !  If  the  foolish  virgins  had 
))een  less  confident,  they  had  certainly  been  more 
safe,  Matth.  xxv.  If  those  vain  glorious  profes- 
sors in   IVlatth.   vii.  22,  had  not  shut  their  eyes 


The.  Touchstone  of  Sincerity.  143 

against  their  own  hypocrisy,  Christ  had  not  shut 
against  them  the  door  of  salvation  and  glory.  An- 
anias and  Sapphira,  Hymeneus,  and  Philetus,  Alex- 
ander and  Demas,  with  multitudes  more  of  that 
sort,  are  the  sad  instances  and  proofs  of  this  point. 
It  is  said,  Pro  v.  xxx.  12.  There  is  a  generation 
that  is  pure  in  their  own  eyes,  and  yet  is  not 
ivashed  from  their  filthiness.  Through  what  false 
spectacles  do  the  men  of  that  generation  look  up- 
on their  own  souls  !  Too  many  men  of  that  genera- 
tion are  still  to  he  found. 

Three  things  I  shall  here  endeavour  to  do. 

1.  To  give  evidence  heyond  contradiction  to  this 
sad  truth,  that  among  professors  are  found  many 
self-deceivers. 

2.  To  assign  the  true  causes  and  reasons  why 
it  is  so. 

3.  Improve  it,  in  those  practical  inferences  the 
point  affords. 


SECT.    II. 


That  there  are  multitudes  of  self-deceivers  a- 
mong  professors,  will  appear, 

1.  By  this  ;  That  there  are  every  where  to  be 
found  more  professors  than  converts ;  unregenerate 
professors,  whose  religion  is  but  the  effect  of  educa- 
tion. Christianity,  by  the  favour  of  an  early  prov- 
idence, was  the  first  comer  ;  it  first  bespoke  them 
for  itself.  These  are  christians  of  an  human  crea- 
tion, rather  horn^  than  new-horn,  believers.  Now 
all  these  are  self-deceived,  and  hasting  to  damna- 
tion, under  the  efficacy  of  a  srong  delusion  ;  for 
if  a  man  think  himself  to  be  something  when 
he  is  nothing,  he  deceive th  himself,  saith  the  a- 
postle.  Gal.  vi.  3.    Surely  our  birth-privilege,  with^ 


144  The  Touchstone  of  Sincerity/, 

out  the  new-birth,  is  nothing;  yea,  worse  than 
nothing,  as  to  our  last  and  great  account.  That 
which  stands  for  a  great  sum  in  our  arithmetic, 
is  nothing.  It  is  but  a  cypher  you  see  in  God^s. — 
Except  a  man  be  bom  again  (say  the  lips  of 
truth)  he  cannot  see  the  kingdom  of  God.  John 
iii.  3. 

Poor  self-deceivers  !  ponder  those  words  of 
Christ.  You  have,  hitherto,  thought  your  civil 
education,  your  dead  and  heartless  duties,  enough  to 
denominate  you  christians  before  God.  But  go 
now,  and  learn  what  that  scripture  meaneth.  Be 
assured  you  must  experience  another  manner  of 
conversion,  or  it  is  impossible  for  you  to  escape 
eternal  damnation  ! 

2.  It  is  too  manifest  by  this,  that  man}^  profes- 
sors are  acquainted  with  only  the  externals  of  re- 
ligion, and  all  their  duties  are  no  more  than  a  com- 
pliance of  the  outward  man  with  the  commands  of 
God.  This  is  the  superficial  religion  which  de- 
ceives and  betrays  multitudes  into  eternal  misery. 
True  religion  seats  itself  in  the  inward  man,  and 
acts  effectually  upon  the  vital  powers,  killing  sin 
in  the  heart,  and  purging  its  designs  and  delights 
from  carnality  and  selfishness;  engaging  the  heart 
for  God,  and  setting  it  as  a  bow  in  its  full  bent  for 
him,  in  the  approaches  we  make  to  him.  But  how 
little  are  many  professors  acquainted  with  these 
things  ! 

Alas  !  if  this  be  all  we  have  to  stand  upon,  how 
dangerous  a  station  is  it  !  What  is  external  con- 
formity, but  an  artificial  imitation  of  that  which 
lives  only  in  the  souls  of  good  men  ?  Thus  was  Je- 
hu deceived.  He  did  many  acts  of  external  obe- 
dience to  God's  command;  but  Jehu  took  no  heed 
to  walk  in  the  ivay  of  the  Lord  God  of  Israel 
with  his  heart.  2  Kings  x.  31.  And  this  was  his 
overthrow. 


The  Touclistone  of  Sinceriti/,  145 

This  was  also  the  ruin  of  those  formalists,  in 
Ezek.  xxxiii  31.  They  came  and  sat  before  the 
Lord  as  his  people.  The  word  was  to  them  as  a 
lovely  songj  they  were  mightily  charmed  with 
the  modulation  of  the  prophet's  voice,  and  his 
lively  gestures  ;  but  all  the  while  their  hearts  went 
after  their  covetousness.  And  what  abundance  of 
such  Pharisaical,  superficial  religion  is  almost  ev- 
ery where  to  be  found  ! 

3.  It  appears  by  this,  that  every  trial  made  hy 
sufferings  upon  professors,  bloivs  away  tnulti- 
tildes,  like  dry  leaves  in  autumn  by  a  stormy 
wind.  Many  fall  from  their  own  stedfastness  in 
shaking  times.  Prosperity  multiplies  vain  profes- 
sors ;  and  adversity  purges  the  church  of  them. — >■ 
Then  shall  many  be  offended.  Matth.  xxiv.  10. 

This  the  Scripture  every  where  marks  as  a  symp- 
tom of  hypocrisy.  Psahn  Ixxviii.  8.  '  A  genera- 
ation  that  set  not  their  hearts  aright,  and  whose  spi- 
rit was  not  steadfast  with  God,'  1  John  ii.  19. 
'  But  they  went  out,  that  the}^  might  be  made  ma- 
nifest that  they  were  not  of  us.'  Matth.  xiii.  21, 
'  For  when  tribulation  or  persecution  ariseth  be- 
cause of  the  word,  by  and  by  he  is  offended.'  But 
should  one  have  told  them  in  the  days  of  their  pro- 
fession, that  all  their  zeal  and  labor  in  religion 
would  have  ended  in  this,  it  is  likely  they  would 
have  replied  as  Hazael  did  to  the  man  of  God,  2 
Kings  viii.  13.  *But  what,  is  thy  servant  a  dog, 
that  he  should  do  this  great  thing?' 

0  how  unlike  is  their  dark  and  dusky  evening  to 
their  glorious  and  hopeful  morning !  These  profes- 
sors have  more  of  the  moon  than  of  the  sun  ;  little 
light,  less  heat,  but  many  changes.  They  deceive 
many,  yea,  they  deceive  themselves,  but  cannot  de- 
ceive God.  During  the  calm,  what  a  flourish  do 
they  make  !  And  with  what  gallantry  do  they  sail  J 
By  and  by  you  may  hear  horrible  tempests,  and 


146  The  Touchstone  of  Sincertir/, 

soon  after  you  may  see  a  dreadful  shipwreck;  and 
no  wonder,  for  they  wanted  that  ballast  and  esta- 
blishment in  themselves  that  (2.  Pet.  iii.  17.) 
would  have  kept  them  tight  and  stable. 

4.  It  is  too  apparent  by  this,  that  many  professors 
secretly  indulge  and  shelter  beloved  lusts  under 
the  wings  of  their  profession.  This,  like  a  worm 
at  the  root,  will  wither  and  kill  them  at  last,  how 
fragrant  soever  they  may  seem  to  be  for  a  season, 
Gideon  had  seventy  sons,  and  one  bastard:  but  that 
one  bastard  was  the  death  of  all  his  seventy  sons. 

Some  men  have  many  excellent  gifts,  and  per- 
form multitudes  of  duties;  but  one  secret  sin  indulg- 
ed and  allowed,  will  destroy  them  all  at  last.  He 
that  is  partial  as  to  the  mortification  of  his  sins,  is 
undoubtedly  hypocritical  in  his  profession.  \i  Da- 
vid^s  evidence  was  good  for  his  integrity,  such  pro- 
fessors will  never  clear  themselves  of  hypocrisy.  **I 
was  also  upright  before  him,  and  kept  myself  from 
mine  iniquity,'  saith  he.  Psalm  xviii.  .23.  This 
is  the  right  eye,  and  right  hand  which  every  sin- 
cere Christian  must  pluck  out,  and  cut  off.  Matth, 
V.  29,  30. 

This  is  a  metaphor  from  Surgeons,  whose  man- 
ner it  is,  when  tlie  whole  is  in  danger  by  any  part, 
to  cut  it  off,  lest  all  perish. 

Their  suppressing  some  lusts,  raises  their  confi- 
dence; the  indulging  of  one,  destroys  the  founda- 
tion of  their  hopes;  and  thus  they  deceive  them- 
selves. 

This  also  manifests  the  self-deceits  of  m a nj^  pro- 
fessors, that  the  secret  duties  of  religion,  or  at  least 
the  secret  intercourse  of  the  soul  with  God  in  them, 
is  a  secret  hid  from  their  knowledge  and  expe- 
rience. 

To  attend  tlie  ordinances  of  God  in  the  seasons 
of  them,  they  know;  to  pray  in  their  families  at 
the  stated  hours  thereof,  they  know;  but  to  retire 


The  Touchsloivc  of  Sincerliy.  147 

from  all  the  world  into  their  closets,  and  there  tw 
pour  out  their  hearts  bef6re  the  Lord,  they  know 
not. 

To  feci  somewhat  within,  paining  them  like  an 
empty,  hungry  stomach,  until  they  have  eaten  that 
hidden  manna,  that  bread  in  secret ;  I  mean  re- 
freshed  their  souls  by  real  communion  with  the 
Lord  there  ;  this  is  a  mystery  locked  up  from  the 
acquaintance  of  many  that  call  themselves  chris- 
tians. Yet  this  is  made  a  characteristical  note  of 
a  sincere  christian,  by  Christ  himself,  in  Mat- 
thew vi.  6. 

0  reader  !  if  thy  heart  were  right  with  God. 
and  thou  didst  not  cheat  thyself  with  a  vain  pro- 
fession, thou  wouldst  have  frequent  business  with 
God,  wliich  thou  wouldst  be  loth  thy  dearest  friend, 
or  the  wife  of  thy  bosom,  should  be  privy  to.  Re- 
lii^^ion  doth  not  lay  all  open  to  the  eyes  of  man.— 
Observed  duties  maintain  our  credit,  but  secret 
duties  maintain  our  life.  It  was  the  saying  of  an 
heathen,  about  his  secret  correspondence  with  his 
friend,  ^^  Why  need  the  world  be  acquainted  with 
it?  Thou  and  I  are  theatre  enough  to  each  other.'* 
There  arc  enclosed  pleasures  in  religion,  which 
none  but  renev/ed  spiritual  souls  do  feelingly  un- 
derstand. 

6.  How  many  more  profess  religion,  in  these 
days,  than  ever  inade  retlgio7i  their  business ! 
Philosophy  tells  us,  there  is  a  main-business,  and 
a  by-business  :  the  same  is  found  in  religion  also. 

There  are  some  that  give  themselves  to  the 
Lord,  2  Cor.  viii.  5 ;  whose  conversation  is  iu 
heaven,  Phil.  iii.  18;  the  end  or  scope  of  whose, 
life  is  Christ,  Heb.  xiii,  7,  S  ;  who  give  religion  the 
precedency  both  in  time  and  affection,  Psalm  v. 
o.  Rom.  xii.  11;  who  arc  constant  and  indefat- 
igable in  the  work  of  the  Lord,  1  Cor.  xv.  Z^i, 

N 


14S  The  Touchstone,  of  Sinceriiy, 

There  are  some  also  that  take  up  reli<^ion,  rath- 
er for  ostentation  than  for  an  occupation ;  who 
never  mind  the  duties  of  reb'gion,  but  when  they 
have  nothing  else  to  do  ;  and  when  their  outward 
man  is  engaged  in  the  duties  of  it.  yet  their  heart 
rs  not  in  it.  They  hear,  they  pray  :  but  their  souls^ 
their  thoughts,  and  minds  are  abroad.  It  is  not 
their  business  to  have  fellowship  with  God  in  du- 
ties ;  to  get  their  lusts  mortified  ;  their  hearts  tried  ; 
their  souls  conformed  to  the  image  of  God  in 
holiness. 

They  pray  as  if  they  prayed  not,  and  hear  as  if 
they  heard  not ;  and  if  they  feel  no  power  in  ordi- 
nances, no  quickening  in  duties,  it  is  no  disappoint- 
ment at  all  to  them.  These  were  not  their  designs 
in  drawing  nigh  to  God,  in  these  appointments. 

Thus  you  see,  what  numbers  of  professors  de- 
ceive themselves. 

SECT.  III. 

If  we  seriously  inquire  into  the  grounds  and 
causes,  of  this  self-deceit  among  professors,  we 
shall  find  these  four  things  conspiring  to  delude 
and  cheat  them,  in  the  great  concern  of  their  sal- 
vation. 

1.  The  natural  deceitful nes6'  of  the  lieart :  than 
which  nothing  is  more  treacherous,  and  false. — 
Jer.  xvii.  9.  TJie  heart  is  deceitful  above  all 
things,  and  desperately  loiched.  'I'lie  heart  is  the 
greatest  supplanter,  the  most  crafty  and  subtle 
cheat  of  all.  It  defeats  us  of  our  heavenly  heri- 
tage, as  Jacob  supplanted  Esau  in  his  earthly  one, 
while  we  are  hunting  after  errthly  trifles.  And 
wherein  its  deceitfulness  princi])ally  appears,  you 
may  see  by  the  solemn  admonition  of  the  apostle, 
James  i.  22,  in  which  he  warns  us  to  Ijcvvnre,  that 
in  hearing  the  word  we  deceive  not  ourselves  by 
false  reasonings,  by  making   false   syllogisms  f — - 


The  Touchstone  of  Sincerity,  149 

whereby  many  misconelude  about  their  spiritual 
:and  eternal  estate  and  condition,  and  deceive  them- 
selves. 

The  time  will  com?,  when  a  man's  own  heart 
will  be  found  to  have  the  chief  hand  in  his  ruin  ; 
and  what  ApGllodorus  did  but  fancy  his  heart  said 
to  him,  some  men's  hearts  will  tell  them  in  ear- 
nest, when  they  come  to  the  place  of  misery  and 
torment.  "  I  have  been  tlie  cause  of  all  this,  I 
have  betrayed  thee  into  all  these  torments.  It  was 
my  laziness,  my  credulity,  my  averseness  to  the 
ways  of  strict  godliness,  mortification  and  self-de- 
nial, which  have  for  ever  uiulone  thee.  Whe» 
thou  sattest  under  the  convincing  truths  of  the 
gospel,  it  was  I,  that  whispered  those  atheistical 
surmises  into  thine  ear,  persuading  thee  that  all 
thou  heardst  was  but  the  intemperate  heat  of  an 
hot-brained  zealot.  When  the  judgments  of  God 
were  denounced,  and  the  misery  thou  now  feeleat 
forewarned  and  threatened,  I  spake  out,  I  will  he- 
lieve  it  ivhen  I  come  thither.'^ 

Surely,  this  is  a  great  truth,  which  was  observed 
by  the  wisest  of  men.  He  that  trusteth  in  his 
own  heart  is  a  fool.  Proverbs  xxviii.  25.  And 
thousands  of  such  fools  are  to  be  found  among 
professors. 

2.  Satan  is  a  chief  conspirator  in  this  treacher- 
ous design.  We  are  not  ii^norant  (saith  the  apos- 
tle) of  his  devices ;  his  sophistry  and  flights. — 
2  Cor.  ii.  11. — his  trains  and  methods  of  tempta- 
tion, which  are  thoroughly  studied,  and  artificially 
moulded  and  ordered.  Nor  is  it  to  be  wondered 
at,  considering  his  vast  knowledge,  deep  malice, 
and  long  experience  in  this  art  of  cheating,  toge- 
ther with  the  great  corruption  and  pronenessof  the 
hearts  of  men,  to  close  with  his  devices,  and  be- 
iieve  his  impostures^  that  so  vast  a  number  of  souls 


150  The  Touchstone  of  Sincerity. 

arc  taken  '•  Captive  hy  him  at  his  own  will."  Tim, 
ii.   26. 

It  is  the  God  of  this  world,  who  blinds  the 
minds  of  them  that  believe  not.  2  Cor.  iv.  2,  w, 
4.  The  i^od  of  this  worlds  (so  called  by  a  figure) 
who  leads  a  world  of  poor,  deluded  wretches  to 
destruction,  having  first  l)Iindcd  their  minds,  and 
with  his  hellish  art  practised  upon  their  under- 
standing, thi>.t  let?ding  and  directive  faculty,  which 
is  to  the  soul,  what  eyes  are  to  the  body. 

3.  The  common  works,  found  in  unregenerato 
souls,  deceive  many,  who  cannot  distinguish  them 
from  the  special  works  of  the  spirit  in  God's  elect. 
See  that  alarming  scripture,  Heb.  vi.  4,  where  you 
find  among  the  common  operations  of  the  Spirit 
upon  apostates,  that  illumination,  which  gives  per- 
spicuity to  their  minds  in  discerning  spiritual 
truths  ;  and  that,  frequently,  with  more  distinct- 
ness and  depth  of  judgment,  than  some  gracious 
souls  attain  unto.  J3esides,  many  rare  and  excel- 
lent gifts  are  here  denoted,  which  are  singularly 
useful  to  others,  as  they  are  exercised  in  expound- 
ing the  Scriptures,  defending  the  truths  of  Christ 
by  solid  arguments,  preaching,  praying,  &c.  and 
which  make  the  subjects  of  them  renowned  and 
honoured  in  the  church  of  God  ;  whilst,  in  mean 
time,  they  are  dazzled  with  their  own  splendour, 
and  fatally  ruined  by  them. 

There  you  find  also  tasti7ig,^s\vQ\\  as  cnlight- 
ening :  so  that  they  seem  to  abound  not  only  in 
knowledge,  but  in  feeling  also.  That  is,  in  some 
kind  of  experience  of  what  they  know  ;  for  experi- 
ence is  the  bringing  of  things,  to  the  test  of  spiri- 
tual sense.  They  do  taste  or  experience,  the  good 
that  comes  by  the  promises  of  the  word,  and  dis- 
coveries of  heaven  and  glory,  though  they  feel  not 
experimentally  the  transforming  efficacy  of  these 
things,  upon  their  own  souls. 


The  Touchstone  of  Sincerity.  151 

And  this  taste,  which  comes  so  near  to  the  ex- 
perience, which  the  sanctified  soul  enjoys,  seems  to 
put  their  condition  beyond  all  controversy,  and 
lay  a  foundation  for  their  ill-built  confidence. — 
Nothing  is  more  apt  to  beget  and  nourish  such  a 
confidence,  than  the  meltings  and  workings  of  ouc 
affections  about  spiritual  things.  For,  as  a  grave 
divine  hath  well  observed,  *'  Such  a  man  seems  to 
have  all  that  is  required  of  a  christian,  and  to  have 
s^ttained  the  very  end  of  all  knowledge,  which  is 
operation  and  influence  upon  the  aflfections.''  When 
they  shall  find  heat  in  their  affections,  as  well  as 
light  in  their  minds,  how  apt  are  they  to  say  (as 
these  self-deceivers  in  the  text  did)  they  are  rich 
and  have  need  of  nothing  !  Now  of  all  the  false 
signs  of  grace,  by  which  men  deceive  themselves, 
none  are  so  dangerous  and  destructive  to  souls,  as 
those  that  come  nearest  true  ones.  Never  doth  Sa- 
tan more  effectually  and  securely  manage  his 
cheats,  than  when  he  is  transformed  into  an  angel 
of  light. 

Among  this  sort  of  self-deceivers,  how  many 
gifted  men,  and  among  that  sort,  some  employed  in 
the  office  of  the  ministry,  will  be  found,  whose 
daily  employment  being  about  spiritual  thing^^^ 
studying,  preaching,  praying,  &c.  conclude  them- 
selves sanctified  persons,  because  they  are  conver- 
sant about  sacred  employments,  as  if  the  subject 
must  be  sacred,  because  the  object  is.  Oh !  that 
such  would  seriously  ponder  these  two  scriptures  ' 
Matth.  vii,  22  "  Many  will  say  unto  me  in  thai 
-day,  Lord,  Lord,  have  we  not  prophesied  in  thy 
name?  and  in  thy  name  have  cast  out  devils  ?  and 
in  thy  name  done  many  wonderful  works  .^''  And 
I  Cor.  ix.  27,  '^  Lest  that  by  any  means,  when  I 
have  preached  unto  others,  I  myself  should  be  a 
■cast-away." 

N  2 


f52  The  Touchstone  of  Slnccriiij. 

4.  To  add  here  no  more — this  strengthens  self- 
'leccit  exceedingly  in  many,  viz  :  their  observations^ 
of,  and  comparing  themselves  with,  others.  Thus 
the  Pharisees  (those  gross  sclf-deeeivers)  trusted  in 
themselves  that  they  were  righteous,  and  despised 
«ithers,  Luke  xviii.  9.  Their  low  rating  of  others, 
gave  them  that  high  rate  and  value  of  themselves. 
And  thus  the  proverb  is  made  good — He  that  hath 
but  one  eye  is  a  king  among  the  blind. 

Thus  the  false  apostles  cheated  themselves;  2 
Ck)r.  X.  12.  *'  But  they  measuring  themselves  by 
themselves,  and  comparing  themselves  among 
themselves,  are  not  wise."  God  hath  not  made  one 
man  a  measure  or  standard  to  another  man,  but  his 
*ord  is  t'.e  common  beam,  or  scale  to  try  all  men. 

These  men  are  as  sharp-sighted  to  note  other 
men's  evils,  as  their  own  excellencies,  to  eye  the 
miscarriages  of  others  with  derision,  and  their 
own  performances  with  admiration. 

They  bless  themselves  when  they  behold  the 
;{)rofane  in  their  impieties.  Luke  xviii.  11.  "  God, 
I  thank  thee  that  I  am  not  as  other  men  are,  extor- 
tioners, unjust,  adulterers,  or  even  as  this  pnbli- 
ean  !"  that  is,  0  what  a  saint  am  I  in  comparison 
of  these  miscreants  !  The  Pharisee's  religion,  you 
see,  runs  all  upon  nots.  A  negative  holiness  is 
enough  for  him,  and  the  measure  he  takes  of  it  is, 
by  comparison  of  himself  with  others,  more  exte?-- 
nally  vile  than  himself.  A  christian  may  say  with 
praise  and  humility,  I ctm  not  as  soine  men  arc ^ 
but  though  he  knows  nothing  by  himself,  yet  is  he 
not  thereby  justified,  1  Cor.  iv.  4.  He  neither 
rakos  together  the  enormities  of  the  vilest,  nor  the 
infirmities  of  the  holiest,  to  justify  and  applaud 
himself,  as  these  self-deceivers  do.  And  these  are 
the  causes  and  occasions  of  that  general  deception, 
under  which  so  many  of  the  professing  world  bow 
u  Mvn  and  perish. 


The  Touchstone  of  Sincerity.  15: 


SECT.    IV. 

III.  In  the  last  place,  I  shall  improve  this  point 
variously,  accordii^g  to  the  importance  and  useful- 
ness of  it,  with  as  much  brevity  and  closeness  of 
application  as  I  can. 

Use  1.  Shall  be  for  caution  to  professors.  Be- 
fore I  tell  you  what  use  you  should  make  of  it,  I 
must  tell  you  what  use  you  may  not  make  of  it. 

1.  Do  not  make  this  use  of  it — to  conclude  from 
what  hath  been  said,  that  all  professors  are  but 
liypocrites,  and  that  there  is  no  truth  nor  integrity 
in  anv  man.  This  is  intolerable  arrogance,  to  as- 
cend the  throne  of  God,  and  unparelleled  unchari- 
tableness,  to  judge  the  hearts  of  all  men. 

Some  men  are  as  apt  to  conclude  others  to  be  hy- 
pocrites, by  measuring  their  hearts  by  their  own, 
as  others  are -to  conclude  themselves  saints,  by  com- 
paring their  own  excellencies  with  other  men's  cor- 
ruptions. But,  blessed  be  God  !  there  is  some 
grain  among  the  heap  of  chaff,  some  true  diamonds 
among  the  counterfeit  stones.  The  devil  hath 
not  the  whole.  A  remnant  belongs  really  to  the 
Lord. 

2.  Do  not  make  this  use  of  it — that  assurance 
must  needs  be  impossible,  because  so  many  pro- 
fessors are  found  to  be  self-deceivers. 

That  assurance  is  one  of  the  greatest  difficulties 
in  religion,  is  a  great  truth  ;  but  that  it  is  therefore 
unattainable  in  this  world,  is  very  false.  Popish 
doctrine  indeed  makes  it  impossible  ;  but  that  doc- 
trine is  practically  confuted  in  the  comfortable  ex- 
perience of  many  souls.  All  are  commanded  to 
strive  for  it,  2  Pet.  i.  10.  "  Give  diligence  to  make 
your  calling  and  election  sure."  And  some  have 
the  happiness  to  obtain  it.  2  Tim.  i.  12.  ''For  I 
know  whom  I  have  believed,  and  I  am  persuaded 


154  The  Touchstone  of  S'mcerlti/, 

that  he  is  ahle  to  keep  that  which  I  have  committed 
unto  him,  against  that  day." 

Let  the  similar  works  upon  hypocrites  resemble- 
as  much  as  they  will,  the  saving  works  of  the  Spirit 
upon  believers,  yet  God  doth  always,  and  the  saints 
do  sometimes,  plainly  discern  the  difference. 

3.  Do  not  make  this  use  of  it,  to  conceal  or  hide 
the  truths  or  graces  of  God,  or^refuse  to  profess  or 
confess  them  before  men,  because  many  professors 
deceive  themselves  and  others  also,  by  a  vain  pro- 
fession. 

Because  another  professeth  what  he  hath  not, 
must  you  therefore  hide  or  deny  what  you  have  ? 
It  is  true,  the  possession  of  grace  and  truth  in 
your  own  souls,  is  that  which  saves  you  :  but  the 
profession  and  confession  of  it,  is  that  which  hon^ 
ours  God,  and  edifies,  yea,  sometimes  is  the  instru- 
ment to  save  others.  It  is  your  comfort  that  you 
feel  it,  it  is  others'  comfort  to  know  that  you  do  so. 
Ostentation  is  a  sin,  but  a  serious  and  humble  pro- 
fession is  a  duty,  Rom.  x.  9. 

SECT.  V, 

Use  2.  Having  shewed  you  in  the  former  sec- 
tion, what  use  you  ought  not  to  make  of  this  doc- 
trine, I  will  next  shew  you  what  use  you  ought  to 
make  of  it.  Surely  you  cannot  improve  this  point 
to  a  better  purpose,  than  from  it  to  take  warning, 
and  look  to  yourselves,  that  you  be  not  of  that 
number,  who  deceive  themselves  in  their  profes- 
sion. If  this  be  so,  suffer  me  closely  to  press  that 
great  apostolical  caution,  1  Cor.  x.  12.  "  Let  him 
that  thinks  he  stands,  take  heed  lest  he  fall.''  0 
professors  !  look  carefully  to  your  foundation,  be 
not  high-minded,  but  fear.  You  have,  it  may  be, 
done  and  suffered  many  things  in  and  for  religion, 
you  have  excellent  gifts  and  sweet  comforts,  a 
warm  zeal  for  God;  and  high  confidecne  of  your 


,         The  Touchstont  of  Sincerity.  155 

integrity.  All  this  may  be  right  (for  aught  I,  or 
it  may  be,  you  know)  but  yet,  it  is  possible,  it  may 
be  false  also.  You  have  sometimes  judged  your 
selves,  and  pronounced  yourselves  upright ;  but  re- 
member your  fiiial  sentence  is  not  yet  pronounced 
by  your  judge.  And  what  if  God  weigh  you  over 
again  in  his  more  equal  balance,  and  should  say 
**  Mene,  Tekel^^  thou  art  weighed  in  the  balance, 
and  found  wanting.  What  a  confounded  man  wilt 
thou  be  under  such  a  sentence  !  "  Things  that  are 
highly  esteemed  of  men,  are  often  an  abomination 
in  the  sight  of  God. "  He  seeth  not  as  man  seeth. 

Thy  heart  may  be  false,  and  thou  not  know  it — • 
yea,  it  may  be  false,  and  thou  strongly  confident  of 
its  integrity. 

The  saints  may  approve  thee,  and  God  condemn 
thee.  Rev.  iii.  1.  "  Thou  hast  a  name  that  thou 
livest,  but  thou  art  dead.''  Men  may  say,  there  is 
a  true  Nathaniel,  and  God  may  say,  there  is  a  self- 
deceiving  Pliarisee. 

Reader  thou  hast  heard  of  Judas  and  Demas,  of 
Ananias  and  Sapphira,  of  Hymeneus  and  Philetus, 
once  renowned  and  famous  professors,  and  thou 
hast  heard  what  they  proved  at  last. 

Take  heed  their  case  be  not  thine  ow^n.  Do  they 
not  all,  as  it  were  with  one  mouth,  cry  to  thee,  "  O 
professor  !  if  thou  wilt  not  come  where  we  are,  do 
not  deceive  thyself  as  we  did.  If  thou  expectest 
a  better  place  and  lot,  be  sure  thou  get  a  sincerer 
heart.  Had  we  been  more  self-suspicious,  we  had 
been  more  safe." 

I  would  not  scare  you  with  needless  jealousies, 
but  I  would  fain  prevent  fatal  mis»takes.  Do  not 
you  find  your  hearts  deceitful  in  many  things?  Do 
not  you  shufile  over  secret  duties  ?  Do  not  you 
censure  the  same  evils  in  others,  which  you  scarce 
reprove  in  yourselves  ?  Are  there  not  many  hy^ 
ends  in  duties  ?  Do  not  you  find,  that  you  are  far 


156  The  Touchstone  of  Slncerifi/. 

less  affected  with  a  great  deal  of  service  and  hon- 
our  done  to  God  by  others,  than  with  a  little  by 
yourselves  ? 

Is  it  not  hard  to  look  upon  other  men's  excellen- 
cies, without  ^nyy,  or  upon  your  own,  without 
pride  ? 

And  are  you  not  troubled  with  a  busy  devil,  as 
well  as  with  a  bad  heart?  Hath  not  he  that  circuits 
the  whole  world,  observed  you  ?  Hath  not  he  stu- 
died your  constitution- sins,  and  found  out  that  sin 
which  most  easily  besets  )'ou  ?  Hath  he  less  malice 
against  your  souls  than  others  ?  Surely  you  are  in 
the  very  thicket  of  temptations,  thousands  of 
snares  are  round  about  you.  0  how  difficultly  are 
the  righteous  saved  !  How  hard  to  be  upright ! — 
How  few  even  of  the  professing  world,  win  heaven 
at  last  ! 

0  therefore  search  your  hearts,  professors,  and 
let  this  caution  go  down  to  your  very  reins — "  f^et 
him  that  thinks  he  stands,  take  heed  lest  he  fall.'' 

Away  with  rash  uncharitable  censures  of  others, 
and  be  more  just  and  severe  in  censuring  your- 
selves. Away  with  dry  and  unprofitable  con- 
troversies, and  spend  your  thoughts  upon  this  great 
question.  Am  I  sound,  or  am  I  rotten  at  heart?  zlni 
I  a  new  creature,  or  the  old  creature  still  in  a  new 
creature's  dress  and  habit?  Beg  the  Lord  that  you 
be  not  deceived  in  that  great  point  (your  integrity), 
whatever  you  may  be  mistaken  in.  Pray  that  you 
be  not  given  up  to  an  heedless,  careless,  and  vain 
spirit,  and  then  have  religious  duties  for  a  rattle,  to 
still  and  quiet  your  consciences. 

Surely  that  ground-work  can  never  be  laid  too 
sure,  upon  which  so  great  a  stress  as  thy  soul  and 
eternity  must  depend.  It  will  not  repent  thee  (I 
dare  promise)  when  thou  comest  to  die,  that  thou 
hast  employed  thy  time  and  strength  to  this  end. 
Whilst  others  are  panting  after  the  dust  of  the  earth, 


The  Touchstone  of  Sincerity.  1 57 

and  saying,  Who  will  shew  us  any  good?  be  thou 
panting  after  the  assurance  of  the  love  of  God,  and 
crying,  Who  will  shew  me  how  to  make  my  cal- 
ling and  election  sure? 

0  deceive  not  yourselves  with  names  and  no- 
tions !  Think  not,  because  you  are  for  a  stricter 
way  of  worship,  or  because  you  associate  with  (and 
are  accordingly  denominated)  one  of  the  more  re- 
formed professors,  that  therefore  you  are  safe 
enough.  Alas  !  how  small  an  interest  have  titles, 
modes,  and  denoniinations  in  religion!  Suppose  a 
curious  artist  take  a  lump  of  lead  and  refine  it,  and 
cast  it  into  the  mould,  whence  it  comes  forth  shi- 
ning, and  bearing  some  noble  figure,  suppose  of  an 
eagle,  yet  it  is  but  a  leaden  eagle.  Suppose  the  fig- 
ure of  a  man,  and  that  in  the  most  exact  lineaments 
and  proportions:  yet  still  it  is  but  a  leaden  man. 
Nay,  let  it  bear  the  figure  of  an  angel,  it  is  but  a 
leaden  angel:  for  the  base  and  ignoble  matter  is  the 
same  it  was,  though  the  figure  be  not.  Even  so, 
take  an  unregenerate  carnal  man,  let  his  life  be  re- 
formed, and  his  tongue  refined,  and  call  him  a  zeal- 
ous Conformist,  or  a  strict  NGn-con/o?'mist ;  call 
him  a  Pre.shyterian,  an  Indepcndant,  or  what  you 
will;  he  is  ail  tlie  wliile  but  a  carnal  conformist, 
or  non-conformist;  an  unregenerate  presbyterian, 
a  carnal  indepcndant,  for  the  nature  is  still  the 
same,  though  the  stamp  and  figure  his  profession 
gives  him  be  not  tlie  same. 

0  my  friends !  believe  it,  fine  names  and  brave 
words  are  of  little  value  with  God.  God  will  no 
more  spare  you  for  these,  than  Samuel  did  Agag 
for  his  delicate  ornaments  and  spruce  appearance. 
Either  make  sure  the  root  of  the  matter,  or  the 
lenvcs  of  a  vain  profession  vvill  no  tlong  cover  you. 

To  be  deceived  by  another  is  bad  enough,  but  to 
deceive  ourselves  is  a  thousand  times  worse.. 


153  The  Touchstone  of  Shvceriiy. 

To  deceive  ourselves  in  truths  of  the  superstruc- 
ture is  bad,  and  they  that  do  so  shall  suffer  loss, 
1  Cor.  ill.  12.  But  to  deceive  ourselves  in  the 
foundation,  is  a  desperate  deceit,  and  shipwrecks 
all  our  hope  and  happiness  at  once. 

If  any  man  lose  his  money  by  a  cheat,  it  trou- 
bles him ;  but  to  lose  his  soul  by  a  cheat,  will  con- 
found him.  If  a  man  lose  an  eye,  an  car,  a  hand. 
a  foot,  yet  as  Chrysostorn  speaks,  "  God  hath  oriv- 
en  these  members  double,  so  that  there's  another 
left.  But  the  soul  is  one,  and  only  one,  and  if  thai 
be  damned,  you  have  not  another  to  be  saved." 

0  therefore  be  restless,  till  it  be,  and  till  you 
know  it  be  out  of  external  danger ! 

SECT.  VI. 

Use.  3.  To  conclude ;  if  so  many  professors  ol' 
religion  be  cheated  in  their  profession,  let  all  that 
are  well  satisfied  and  assured  of  their  integrity, 
bless  the  Lord,  whilst  they  live,  for  that  mercy. 
O  it  is  a  mercy  that  no  unsanctilied  soul  can  have : 
yea,  and  it  is  a  mercy  that  many  gracious  souls  do 
not  obtain,  though  they  seek  it  with  tears,  and 
would  part  with  all  the  pleasant  things  they  have 
in  the  Avorld  to  enjoy  it. 

This  is  tliat  mercy  that  gives  souls  the  highest 
pleasure  this  world  is  acquainted  with,  or  the  state 
of  this  mortality  can  bear.  For  let  the  well-assur- 
ed soul  but  consider  what  it  is  assured  of — Christ, 
w^ith  the  purchases  of  his  blood.  0  what  is  this  ! 
*I  am  my  belovcii's,  and  m}'  beloved  is  mine.' 
Ccnii.W.  IG.  What  a  vital,  ravishing,  over-pow- 
ering eflicacy  is  in  that  voice  of  faith!  Let  it  but 
look  back  a  few  years,  and  compare  what  it  wa- 
with  whnt  it  is;  it  was  afar  otf,  it  is  now  made 
nigh,  Ephes.  ii.  12,  13.  It  was  not  beloved,  bur 
is  now  beloved,  Horn.  xxv.  26.  It  had  not  obtain- 
ed mercy,  but  now  hath  obtained  mercy,  1  Pel.  ii. 


The  Touchstone  of  Sincerity.  \o^ 

10.  Or  let  the  assured  soul  look  forward,  and  com- 
pare what  it  now  is,  and  hath,  with  what  it  shortly 
shall  be  made,  and  put  in  possession  of.  *  Beloved, 
(saith  the  apostle,)  now  are  we  the  sons  of  God : 
but  it  doth  not  yet  appear  what  vve  shall  be  :  but  we 
know  that  when  he  shall  appear,  we  shall  be  like 
him,  for  we  shall  see  him  as  he  is,'   1  John  iii.  2. 

I  say,  let  the  assured  soul  but  keep  its  thoughts, 
by  meditation,  in  these  subjects,  and  it  will  be  im- 
possible to  keep  him  from  the  most  agreeable  trans^ 
ports  of  jo}^  and  delight. 

0  what  a  life  you  have  in  comparison  of  other 
men  !  Some  have  two  hells  :  one  present,  another 
coming.  You  have  two  heavens,  one  in  hand,  the 
other  in  hope.  Some  of  your  own  brethren  in 
Christ,  that  have  been  many  years  panting  after 
assurance,  are  still  denied  it;  but  God  hath  indulg- 
ed so  peculiar  a  favour  to  you.  Bless  ye  the  Lord^, 
and  make  his  praise  glorious. 


CHAP.  III. 

*    ("ontaining  the  use  and  improvement  of 

DOCT.  II. 

That  true  grace  is  exceeding  precious,  and  great- 
ly enriches  tJie  soul  that  hath  it:  It  is  Christ\s 
gold. 

SECT.  I. 

The  Lord  Jesus  here  chooseth  the  most  pure, 
precious,  resplendent,  durable,  and  valuable  thing, 
in  all  the  treasuries  and  magazines  of  nature,  to 
vshadow  forth  saving  grace,  which  is  infinitely  more 
excellent.  Certainly  that  must  be  the  best  thins;, 
which  the  best  things  in  nature  can  but  imperfect 
O 


160  The  Touchstone  of  Sincanlrf. 

\y  shadow  forth.  What  was  the  golden  oil  empK 
tied  through  the  two  golden  ])ipes,  Zech.  iv.  12. 
but  the  precious  graces  of  God,  flowing  through 
Christ  into  all  his  members.  Gold  is  precious: 
but  one  drachm  of  saving  grace  is  more  precious 
than  all  the  gold  of  Ophir.  'It  cannot  be  gotten 
for  gold,  neither  shall  silver  be  weighed  for  a  price 
thereof,'  Job  xxviii.  15.  Surely  gold  and  silver, 
sapphires,  diamonds,  and  rubies  are  not  worth  men- 
tioning, when  saving  grace  is  once  mentioned.  For 
consider  it, 

Firsts  In  its  cause  and  fountain,  from  whence  it 
flows,  and  you  shall  find  it  to  be  the  fruit  of  the 
Spirit,  Gal.  v.  22,  who  upon  that  account  is  called 
the  Spirit  of  grace,  Heb.  x.  29.  It  derives  its  ori- 
ginal from  the  Most  High  ;  it  is  spirit  born  of  the 
Spirit,  John  iii.  6.  All  the  rules  of  morality,  all 
human  dili,o-ence  and  industry  can  never  produce 
one  gracious  habit  or  act  alone,  2  Cor.  iii.  5.  'Not 
that  we  are  sufficient  of  ourselves,'  &c. 

Nay,  we  speak  not  becoming  the  incomparable 
worth  of  grace,  when  we  say,  it  is  the  fruit  and 
birth  of  the  Spirit,  for  so  are  common  gifts  also. 
There  are  several  emanations  from  tins  sun,  divers 
streams  from  this  fountain,  but  of  all  his  operations 
and  productions,  this  of  saving  grace  is  the  most 
noble  and  excellent.  Gifts  are  from  the  Spirit  as 
well  as  grace,  but  grace  is  more  excellent  than  the 
best  gifts,  1  Cor.  xii.  31.  <  Covet  earnestly  the  best 
gift3,  and  yet  shew  I  unto  you  a  more  excellent 
way.'  Hence  you  read  in  Phil.  i.  10,  of  things 
that  are  excellent,  or  as  the  original  might  be  ren- 
dered, things  that  differ,  namely,  in  respect  of  ex- 
cellency ;  not  as  good  and  evil,  but  as  less  good 
and  more  good  differ.  Gifts  have  their  value  and 
preciousness,  but  the  best  gifts  differ  as  much  from 
grace  as  brass  from  gold,  though  both  flow  from 
the  same  source.     Gifts   (as  one  saith)   are  dead 


The  Touchstone  of  Sincerity,  161 

graces,  but  graces  are  living  gifts.  It  is  the  most 
excellent  production  of  the  highest  and  most  excel- 
lent cause. 

Secondly,  Consider  it  in  its  nature,  and  you  will 
find  it  divine,  2  Pet.  i.  4.  'Partakers  of  the  divine 
nature,'  viz.  in  our  sanctification.  Not  that  it  gives 
us  the  properties  of  the  divine  nature,  they  are  in- 
communicable ;  but  the  similitude  and  resemblance 
of  it  is  stamped  upon  our  souls,  in  the  work  of 
grace. 

*  The  new  man  is  renewed  in  knowledge  after 
rho  image  of  him  that  created  him.  Col.  iii.  10. 
The  schoolmen,  and  some  of  the  fathers,  place  this 
image  or  resemblance  of  God,  in  the  natural  facul- 
ties of  the  soul,  viz.  the  understanding,  memory, 
and  will,  which  is  an  umbrage  of  a  trinity  in  unity  ^ 
but  it  rather  consists  in  the  renovation  of  the  facul- 
ties by  grace.  In  this  we  bear  the  divine  image  up- 
on our  souls,  and  that  image,  or  resemblance  of  God 
in  holiness,   is  the  beauty  and  honour  of  our  souls. 

It  is  their  beauty :  '  How  fair,  and  how  pleasant 
art  thou,  0  love,  for  delights!'  saith  Christ  of  his 
people,  Cant.  vii.  6.  Natural  beauty  consists  in 
the  symmetry  and  comely  proportion  of  parts, 
each  with  the  other ;  spiritual  beauty  in  tlie  harmo- 
ny or  agreeableness  of  our  souls  to  God :  and  as  it 
is  our  chiefest  beaut}',  so  certainly  it  is  our  highest 
honour.  ,  It  gives  us  access  unto  God,  who  is  the 
fountain  of  honour  and  glory :  and  tliis  makes  the 
righteous  more  excellent  than  his  neighbour.  Let 
his  neighbour  be  what  he  will,  though  the  blood  of 
nobles  runs  in  his  veins,  the  righteous  is  more  ex- 
cellent than  he,  except  saving  grace  be  also  diffused 
into  his  soul. 

Thirdly.  Consider  it  as  it  respects  the  subject 
who  receives  it,  and  you  will  find  its  value  still  to 
Increase ;  for  the  precious  oil  of  saving  grace  is  ne- 
vev  poured  into  any  other  than  an  elect  vessel. 


1C2  The  Touchstone  of  Sincerity. 

Hence,  faith,  one  branch  of  sanctificalion,  is, 
with  respect  to  its  subject,  styled  the  faith  of  God's 
elect,  Tit.  i.  1.  Whosoever  finds  true  grace  in  his 
soul,  may  (during  the  evidence  thereof)  from  it 
strongly  couclude  his  election,  looking  backward  ; 
and  his  salvation,  looking  forward,  Rom.  viii.  30. 
It  marks  and  seals  the  person  in  whom  it  is,  for 
glory.  '■  God  hath  set  apart  him  that  is  godly  for 
himself.'   Psalm  iv.  3. 

Fourthly,  View  the  precious  worth  of  grace,  in 
its  excellent  effects  and  influences  upon  the  soul,  in 
which  it  inheres. 

(1.)  It  adorns  it  with  incomparable  ornaments, 
which  are  of  great  price  in  the  sight  of  God,  1  Pet. 
iii.  4.  Yea,  it  reflects  such  beams  of  glor\^  in  the 
soul  where  its  seat  is,  that  Christ  himself,  the  au- 
thor, is  also  the  admirer  of  it,  Cant.  iv.  9.  ^  Thou 
hast  ravished  my  heart,  my  sister,  my  spouse  ! 
thou  hast  ravished  my  heart  with  one  of  thine  eyes, 
with  one  of  the  chains  of  thy  neck!'  and  as  one 
overcome  with  its  excelling  beauty,  he  saith,  ^Turn 
away  thine  eyes  from  me,  for  they  have  overcome 
me.'   Cant.  vi.  5. 

(2.)  It  elevates  and  ennobles  a  man's  spirit,  be- 
yond all  other  principles  in  man.  It  sets  the  heart 
and  affections  upon  heaven,  and  takes  them  up  with 
the  glory  of  the  invisible  world,  Phil.  iii.  20.  'But 
our  conversation  is  in  heaven,  from  whence  we 
look  for  the  Saviour.'  Whilst  others  are  trading 
for  corn  and  wine,  for  sheep  and  oxen,  for  feathers 
and  trifles,  the  gracious  soul  is  trading  with  God  for 
pardon  and  peace,  for  righteousness  and  life,  for 
glory  and  immortality.  'Truly  our  fellowship  is 
with  the  Father,  and  with  his  Son  Jesus  Christ,'  1 
John  i.  3. 

(3.)  It  doth  not  only  raise  the  spirit  by  convers- 
ing with  God  and  things  above,  but  transforms  the 
soul,  by  that  converse,  into  the  likeness  of  those 


The  Touchstone  of  Sincerity,  i65 

heavenly  objects  with  which  it  converses.  It  chang- 
es them  into  the  same  image,  2  Cor.  iii.  18.  So 
that,  though  the  sanctified  man  still  remains  the 
who  he  was,  yet  not  the  what  he  was  before.  The 
very  temper  of  his  spirit  is  altered. 

(4.)  It  doth  not  only  transform  the  soul  in  which 
it  is,  but  preserves  the  subject  in  which  it  is.  It  is 
a  singular  preservative  from  sin;  so  that  though  sin 
be  in  them  still,  and  works  in  them  still,  yet  it  can- 
not prevail  in  them,  still  to  fulfil  the  lusts  of  it,  as 
it  was  wont  to  do,  Gal.  v.  17.  Sin  conceives,  but 
cannot  bring  forth  fruit  unto  death. 

(5.)  Grace  doth  not  only  preserve  from  sin,  but 
establishes  the  soul  in  which  it  is,  far  beyond  any 
other  arguments  without,  or  any  other  principles 
within  a  man.  ^  It  is  a  good  thing  that  the  heart  be 
established  with  grace,'  Heh.  xiii.  9.  This  is  that 
which  the  apostle  calls  our  own -steadfastness^  or 
that  ballast  we  have  within  ourselves,  which  keeps 
us  firm  and  stable.     0  the  excellency  of  grace  ! 

(6.)  To  conclude;  it  is  the  root  of  all  that  pre- 
•iious  fruit  which  we  bring  forth  to  God  in  this 
world.  It  is  the  root  of  every  gracious  word  in 
our  lips,  and  of  every  gracious  work  in  our  hands. 
Be  the  matter  of  our  gracious  thoughts  never  so 
excellent,  the  matter  of  our  heavenly  discourses  and 
prayers  never  so  sweet,  still  grace  is  the  root  of 
the  matter,  Job  xix.  28.  0  then  what  a  precious 
thing  is  grace ! 

Fifthly.  View  it  in  its  properties,  and  you  will 
-sooner  discover  its  transcendent  excellencies.  The 
richest  epithets  are  no  hyperboles  here.  We  speak 
not  beyond  the  value  of  it  when  we  call  it  super- 
natural grace,  for  so  it  is.  It  comes  down  from 
above,  from  the  Father  of  lights.  Jam.  i.  17.  Na- 
ture can  never  be  improved  to  that  height,  how 
much  soever  its  admirers  boast  of  it.  Nor  do  we 
strain  too  high,  when  we  call  it  Immortal  Grace ; 
02 


164  The  Touchstone  of  Siiiceriiy. 

for  so  hath  God  made  it.  This  is  that  water,  which 
springs  up,  in  the  sanctified  soul,  unto  eternal  life, 
John  iv.  14.  It  will  not  die  when  thou  diest,  but 
ascend  with  the  soul,  from  which  it  is  inseparable, 
and  be  received  with  it  up  irito  glory,  Ro7n.  viii. 
10.  You  may  outlive  your  friends,  you  may  out- 
live your  estates,  you  may  outlive  your  gifts,  but 
you  cannot  outlive  your  graces. 

Shall  I  say,  it  is  the  most  sweet  and  comfortable 
thing  that  ever  the  soul  was  acquainted  with  in  this 
world,  next  to  Jesus  Christ,  the  author  and  foun- 
tain of  it?  Surely,  if  I  so  speak,  I  have  as  many 
witnesses  to  attest  it,  as  there  be  gracious  souls  in 
the  world.  Nothing  is  more  comfortable  than  grace, 
except  Christ ;  and  yet  without  grace  no  soul  can 
feel  the  comforts  of  Christ,  in  the  troubles  of  life, 
or  in  the  straits  of  death.  This  is  a  spring  of  com- 
fort! 

Sixthly.  Consider  it  in  its  design  and  scope;  and 
you  will  still  discern  more  and  more  of  its  precious 
excellency.  For  what  is  the  aim  and  end  of  God, 
in  the  infusions  and  improvements  of  grace,  but  to 
attemper  and  mould  our  spirits  by  it,  into  a  meet- 
ness  and  fitness  for  the  enjoyment  of  himself  in  the 
world  to  come?  Col.  i.  12.  'Giving  thanks  to  the 
Father,  who  hath  made  us  meet  to  be  partakers  of 
the  inheritance  of  the  saints  in  light:'  Compare  this 
with  2  Co7\  V.  5.  '  Now  he  that  hath  wrousrht  us 
for  the  self-same  thing,  is  God.' 

0  blessed  design!  how  precious  must  that  work 
be,  which  is  wrought  for  so  high  and  glorious  a 
pui-pose  as  this  is?  No  work  more  excellent,  no 
end  more  noble. 

Seventhly.  Consider  the  means  and  instruments, 
both  principal  and  subordinate,  employed  in  this 
work.  INIany  blessed  instruments  are  set  on  work 
■lo  beget,  preserve,  and  improve  it  in  our  souls,  and 
these  all  speak  the  precious  worth  of  it.     No  wise 


The  Touchstone  of  Sincerity.  165 

man  will  dig  for  a  base  and  worthless  metal  with 
golden  mattocks.  The  blood  of  Christ  was  shed 
to  procure  it-,  Heb.  xiii.  12. 

The  Spirit  of  Ood  is  sent  forth  to  form  and  cre- 
ate it ;  for  it  is  his  own  w^orkmanship ;  Ephes.  ii. 
10,  his  fruit;   Gal.  v.  12. 

The  ordinances  and  officers  of  the  gospel  were 
at  first  instituted,  and  ever  since  continued  in  the 
church,  for  this  work's  sake,  John  xvii.  17,  and 
Epti.  iv.  12.  It  is  the  fruit  of  Christ's  blood  ;  yea, 
and  it  hath  cost  the  sweat  and  blood  of  the  dispen- 
sers of  the  gospel  too. 

Nay,  all  the  works  of  providence  look  this  way, 
and  aim  at  this  thing,  Rom.  2S.  What  is  the  er- 
rand of  all  God's  rods,  but  to  make  us  partakers 
of  his  holiness?   Heb.  xii.  16. 

Eighthly.  The  high  value  that  the  most  high 
God  sets  upon  grace,  shews  it  to  be  an  excellent 
thing  indeed.  '  It  is  of  great  price  in  his  sight,'  1 
Pet.  iii.  4.  No  service  finds  acceptation  with  God, 
but  what  is  performed  by  grace.  None  but  sancti- 
fied vessels  are  meet  for  the  master's  use.  *  The 
end  of  the  commandment  is  charity,  out  of  a  pure 
heart.'   1  Tim.  i.  5. 

The  weakest  performances  of  grace  find  their 
acceptance  with  him,  though  clogged  with  many 
sinful  weaknesses  and  infirmities,  Heb.  xi.  31,  32. 
If  God  so  prize  it,  well  may  we.  He  that  made 
the  jewel  best  understands  the  value  of  it. 

Ninthly.  The  hypocrital  pretences  made  to  it, 
all  over  the  professing  world,  shew  what  a  most 
precious  and  desirable  thing  it  is.  If  there  were 
not  some  singular  glory  in  it,  why  doth  every  one 
covet  to  be  reputed  gracious  ?  Nay,  the  devil  him- 
self baits  many  of  his  hooks  of  temptation  with  a 
shew  of  grace ;  for  he  knows  sin  hath  no  native 
beauty  of  its  own  to  entice,  and  therefore  he  bor- 
i\)ws  the  paint  and  pretence  of  holiness  to  cover  it. 


166  The  Touchstone  of  Sincerity, 

But,  oh  !  in  what  a  dilemma,  will  the  hypocrite 
find  himself  at  last?  And  how  can  he  answer  it 
when  God  shall  demand  his  soul  ? 

If  grace  were  evil,  why  didst  thou  so  affect  the 
name  and  reputation  of  it?  And  if  it  were  good, 
why  didst  thou  satisfy  thyself  with  the  empty  name 
and  shadow  of  it  only  ? 

Tenthly.  To  conclude :  The  incomparable  es- 
teem that  all  good  men  have  for  it,  shews  it  to  be 
a  thing  of  inestimable  price. 

Grace  is  the  sum  of  all  their  prayers,  the  scope 
of  all  their  endeavours,  the  matter  of  their  chief 
joy,  the  reward  of  their  afflictions  and  sufferings ; 
their  chief  joys  and  sorrows,  hopes  and  fears  in  this 
world  are  taken  up  about  it.  By  all  which  it  ap- 
pears that  its  price  is  above  rubies;  and  all  the  gold 
and  silver  in  the  world  are  but  dung  and  dross  in 
comparison  with  it. 

SECT.    II. 

Containing  six  practical  inferences  from  this 
precious  truth. 

Inference  1.  Is  saving  grace  more  precious  than 
gold  ?  Let  them  that  have  it,  bless  God  for  it,  and 
not  boast.  Men's  hearts  are  as  apt  to  puff  up  and 
swell  with  spiritual  as  with  material  gold.  It  is 
hard  to  be  an  owner  of  much  of  this  gold  and  not 
be  lifted  up  with  it.  To  keep  down  thy  heart,  and 
preserve  thine  eyes  from  being  dazzled  with  these 
thy  gracious  excellencies,  it  will  be  needful  for  thee, 
Christian,  sometimes  to  consider. 

That,  although  grace  be  one  of  the  most  excellent 
things  which  ever  God  created,  yet  it  is  but  a  crea- 
ture,  a  dependent  thing,   I  Cor.  v.  17. 

Yea,  it  is  not  only  a  creature,  but  a  very  imper- 
fect creature  yet,  in  thy  soul,  labouring  under  ma- 
ny weaknesses,  Phil,  iii.  12,  and  sometimes  ready 
to  die,  Rev.  2. 


The  Touchstone  of  Sincerity.  167 

Though  it  can  do  many  things  for  you,  yet  it 
cannot  justify  you  before  God.  You  cannot  make 
a  garment  of  it  to  cover  your  guilt,  nor  plead  the 
dignity  of  it  at  God's  bar  for  your  discharge.  It  is 
not  j'our  inherent,  but  Christ's  imputed  righteous- 
ness must  do  that  for  you,  though  in  other  respects 
it  be  very  necessary. 

Nay,  remember  how  excellent  soever  it  be,  it  is 
not  the  native  growth  and  product  of  your  hearts. 
All  the  grace  }- ou  have  is  foreign  to  your  natures ; 
and  what  you  have  is  received,    1  Co7\  iv.  7. 

And  lastly,  remember,  he  that  is  most  proud  and 
conceited  of  his  own  graces,  will  be  found  to  be  the 
owner  of  least  grace,  and  hath  most  cause  to  ques- 
tion whether  he  hath  any  or  no.  It  is  the  nature  of 
grace  to  humble,  abase,  and  empty  the  the  soul ; 
and  it  is  the  strength  of  our  corruptions  which  thus 
puffs  us  up  with  vain  conceits. 

Infer.  2.  Is  saving  grace  more  excellent  than 
gold?  What  cause  then  have  the  poorest  Christians 
to  be  well  satisfied  with  their  lot !  To  others  God 
hath  given  Ishmael's  portion,  the  fatness  of  the 
earth ;  to  you,  Isaac's,  the  grace*  of  the  covenant. 
Their  portion  is  paid  in  brass,  yours  in  gold.  Ma- 
ny of  you  are  poor  in  the  world,  but '  rich  in  faith, 
and  heirs  of  the  kingdom  which  God  hath  promis- 
ed,' Jain.  ii.  5.  What  is  the  dust  of  the  earth  to 
the  fruits  of  the  Spirit  ?  You  are  troubled  that  you 
have  no  more  of  the  world.  It  may  be  if  you  had 
more  gold,  you  would  have  less  grace.  You  consi- 
der not,  how  many  are  poor  and  wretched  in  both 
worlds ;  moneyless  and  Christless  too.  You  do  not 
conside  you  are  come  near  that  state  in  which  all 
your  wants  will  be  fully  supplied ;  where  you  shall 
not  need  the  treasures  of  the  earth,  and  have  your 
desires  satisfied  out  of  the  treasures  of  grace  and 
glory. 

Infer.  3.  Is  saving  grace  gold?  yea,  infinitely 


168  The  Touchstone  of  Sincerity, 

more  precious  than  gold  ?  Then  surely  declining 
Christians  are  great  losers,  and  have  cause  to  be 
great  mourners.  The  remission  of  the  least  degree 
of  grace,  is  more  to  be  lamented  than  the  loss  of 
the  greatest  sum  of  gold. 

Though  the  habits  of  grace  be  not  lost,  yet  the 
acts  of  grace  may  be  suspended,  2  Sam,  xii.  31. 
The  degrees  of  grace  may  be  remitted,  Rev.  iii.  3. 
The  evidences  of  grace  may  be  clouded,  and  con- 
sequently the  comforts  of  grace  may  be  suspended, 
Isa.  1.  10;  and  the  least  of  these  is  such  a  loss,  as 
all  the  treasures  of  the  earth  cannot  repair.  Well, 
therefore,  may  declined  christians  challenge  the 
first  place  among  all  the  mourners  in  the  world. 

Infer,  4.  Is  grace  so  invaluably  precious  ?  How 
precious  then  ought  the  ordinances  of  God  to  be  to 
our  souls,  by  which  grace  is  first  communicated, 
and  afterwards  improved  in  our  souls!  '  The  law  of 
thy  mouth  is  better  to  me  than  thousands  of  gold 
and  silver,'  PsaJ.  cxix.  72  ;  and  good  reason,  whilst 
it  imparts  and  improves  that,  to  which  gold  and  sil- 
ver are  but  dross  and  dung. 

None  but  those  that  value  not  grace,  will  ever 
slight  the  means,  or  despise  and  injure  the  instru- 
ments thereof.  It  is  a  sad  sign  of  a  graceless  world, 
when  these  precious  things  fall  under  contempts 
and  slights. 

Infer,  5.  If  grace  be  so  precious,  how  watchful 
should  all  gracious  persons  be  in  the  days  of  tempta- 
tion !  The  design  of  temptation  is  to  rob  you  of 
your  treasure.  When  cut-purses  get  into  the  crowd, 
we  use  to  say,  Friends,  look  to  your  purses.  Wqw 
many  brave  Christians  have  we  read  and  heard  of, 
that  have  rather  chosen  to  part  with  their  lives  than 
with  their  graces ;  who  have  '  resisted  unto  blood, 
striving  against  sin  !'   Heh.  xii.  4. 

0  Christians!  you  live  in  a  cheating  age.  Many 
seeming  christians  have  lost  all,  and   many  real 


T'he  Touchstone  of  Sincerity.  169 

christians  have  lost  much  ;  so  much,  that  they  are 
like  to  see  but  little  comfort  in  this  world.  They 
are  like  to  go  mourning  to  the  grave,  with  that  la- 
mentation. Job  xxix.  2,  3.  *'0  that  it  were  with 
me,  as  in  times  past!" 

Infer.  G.  To  conclude — is  there  such  precious 
worth  in  saving  grace?  Then  bless  God  for  itj 
and  diligently  use  all  means  to  increase  and  im- 
prove it,  in  your  souls.  It  is  gold  for  precious- 
ness,  and  for  usefulness,  and  must  not  be  laid  up  in 
a  napkin.  That  is  a  sin,  condemned  by  the  very 
scope  of  that  parable,  Matt.  xxv.  14,  15. 

All  christians,  indeed,  have  not  the  same  advan- 
tages of  improvement.  But  all  must  improve  it, 
according  to  the  advantages  they  have,  in  order  to 
an  account.  Reserved  christians,  who  live  too  ab- 
stracted from  the  society  and  communion  of  others, 
and  disperse  not  their  streams  abroad  to  the  benefit 
of  others,  nor  improve  the  graces  of  others  for  their 
own  benefit,  are  wanting  both  to  their  own  duty  and 
comfort.  See  you  a  man  rich  in  grace,  0  trade  with 
him  if  you  can,  to  improve  yourselves  by  him  ;  and 
the  rather,  because  you  know  not  how  soon  death 
may  snatch  him  from  you,  and  with  him  all 
his  stock  of  grace  is  gone  from  you  too,  except 
what  you  made  your  own,  wiiilst  you  conversed 
with  him.  But,  alas !  instead  of  holy,  profitable, 
soul-improving  communion,  some  are  sullenly  re- 
served, some  are  negligent  and  lazy,  some  are  liti- 
gious and  wrangling,  more  apt  to  draw  forth  the 
dross  than  the  gold ;  I  mean  the  corruptions,  than 
graces,  of  others.  And  how  few  there  be,  that 
carry  on  a  profitable  trade  for  increase  of  grace,  is 
sad  to  consider. 

And  as  we  neglect  to  improve  grace,  by  commu- 
nion with  men,  so  I  suspect  many  christians  thrive 
but  little,  in  their  communion  with  God.  We  are 
too  seldom  in  our  closets,  too  little  upon  our  knees. 


170  The  Touchstone  of  Sincerffy. 

And  when  we  are  there,  we  gain  but  little ;  we 
come  not  off  such  gainers  by  duty  as  we  might.  0 
christian  !  think  when  you  are  hearing  and  pray- 
ing, I  am  now  trading  with  heaven,  for  that  which 
is  infinitely  better  than  gold.  God  is  rich  to  all 
that  call  upon  him.  What  a  treasure  may  I  get 
this  hour,  if  the  fault  be  not  in  mine  own  heart ! 
And  thus  much  for  tlie  second  obsprvation. 


CHAP.  IV. 

Wherein  the  third  doctrine  being  the  viain  sub- 
ject of  this  treatise,  is  opened,  and  the  method 
of  the  whole  discourse  stated. 

DQCT.  T. 

That  only  is  to  be  accounted  true  grace,  which  is 
able  to  endure  all  those  trials  appointed  or 
permitted  for  the  discovery  of  it. 

SECT.   I.    . 

The  most  wise  God  hath  seen  it  fit,  to  set  all  his 
people  in  a  state  of  trial,  in  this  world.  First — He 
tries,  and  then  he  crowns  them.  James  i.  12. — 
•'' Blessed  is  the  man  that  endureth  temptation, 
[probation,  or  trial]  for  when  he  is  tried,  he  shall 
receive  the  crown  of  life,"  &.c. 

No  man  can  say  what  he  is,  whether  his  graced 
be  true  or  false,  till  they  are  tried  and  examined  by 
those  things,  which  are  to  them  as  fire  is  to  gold. 
These  seK-deceivers  in  the  text  thought  they  had 
grace;  yea,  they  thought  they  had  been  rich  in 
grace,  but  it  proved  no  better  than  dross.  And 
therefore  Christ  here  counsels  them,  to  buy  of  him 
gold  tried  in  the  fire  :  that  is,  true  grace  indeed^. 


The  Toucfistone  qf  Sinceriti/.  171 

which  appears  to  be  so  upon  the  various  proofs 
and  examinations  of  its  sincerity,  that  are  to  be 
made  in  this  world,  as  well  as  in  the  great  solemn 
trial  it  must  come  to,  in  the  world  to  come. 

The  scriptures  speak  of  a  twofold  trialjv/r. 

A  tiial  of  men's  opinions  and  graces. 

First,  The  opinions  and  judgments  of  men  are 
tried  as  by  fire.  In  this  sense  we  are  to  understand 
that  place,  1  Cor.  iii.  12,  13.  "Now  if  any  man 
build  upon  this  foundation,  gold,  silver,  precious 
stones,  wood,  hay,  stubble,  ever}^  man's  work  shall 
be  made  manifest ;  for  the  day  shall  declare  it,  be- 
cause it  shall  be  revealed  b}^  fire,  and  the  fire  shall 
try  every  man's  work  of  what  sort  it  is.*' 

The  text  speaks  of  such  persons  as  held  the 
foundation  of  Christianity,  but  yet  superstructed 
such  doctrines  and  practices,  as  were  no  more  able 
to  endure  the  trial,  than  hay,  wood,  or  stubble  can 
endure  the  fire.*  Such  a  person  hereby  brings 
himself  into  danger ;  and  though  the  apostle  will 
not  deny  the  possibility,  yet  he  asserts  the  difficulty 
of  his  salvation.  He  shall  be  saved,  yet  so  as  by 
fire  ;t  that  is,  as  a  man  saved  by  leaping  out  of  his 
house  at  midnight,  when  it  is  all  on  fire  ;  for  so 
that  phrase  imports,  Amos  iv.  11,  and  Jude  23. — 
tie  is  glad  to  escape  naked,  and  with  the  loss  of  his 
goods,  and  blesses  God  that  his  life  is  preserved. — 
As  little  regard  shall  such  have  to  their  erroneous 
notions  and  unscriptural  opinions,  at  last. 

Secondly,  The  graces  of  men  are  brought  to  the 
test,  as  well  as  their  opiiiions.  Trial  will  be  made 
of  their  hearts,  as  well  as  of  their  heads  ;  and  up- 
«n  this  trial,  the  everlasting  safety  and  happiness  of 
fhe  person  depends.     If  a  man's  opinions  be  some 


?■  Upon  a  tliorough  trial,  t)iey  vanish  into  smoke. 

t  From  whicli  judgment  he  shall  escape  just  as  one  docs  naJi 
ov  with  his  bare  liPi,  out  of  the  midst  of  tlames. — Chrysi.itii.n. 


172  The  Touchstone  of  Sinceriii/. 

of  them  found  hay  or  stubble,  yet  so  long;  as  he. 
holds  the  head,  and  is  right  in  the  foundation,  he 
may  be  saved  ;  but  if  a  man's  supposed gritces  be 
found  so,  all  the  world  cannot  save  him.  There  is 
no  way  of  escape,  if  he  fmnlly  deceive  himself 
herein.  And  of  this  trial  of  graces  my  text  speaks. 
Sincere  grace  is  gold  tried  by  fire. 

There  is  a  twofold  trial  of  grace  ;  active  and 
passive. 

First,  An  active  trial  of  it,  in  which  we  try  it 
ourselves;  2  Cor.  xiii.  5.  Exariiine  yoiirselves  z 
prove  yourselves  ;  that  is,  measure  your  hearts,  du- 
ties and  graces  by  the  rule  of  the  word.  See  how  they 
answer  to  that  rule.  Bring  your  hearts  and  the  word 
t(  get  her  by  solemn  self-examination.  Confer  with 
your  reins,  arid  commune  with  your  own  hearts. 

Secondly,  A  passive  trial  of  it.  Whether  we 
try  it  or  not,  God  will  try  it ;  he  will  bring  our 
gold  to  the  touchstone,  and  to  the  fire.  "  Thou,  0 
Lord,  knowest  me  ;  thou  hast  seen  me,  and  tried 
mine  heart  towards  thee/'  saith  the  prophet,  Jer. 
xii.   3. 

Sometimes  he  tries  the  strength  and  ability  of 
his  servants'  graces.  Thus  he  tried  Abraham, 
Heb.  xi.  17.  And  sometimes  he  tries  the  soundness 
and  sincerity  of  our  graces.  So  the  Ephesian  an- 
get  was  tried,  and  found  dross,  Rev.  ii.  2.  And  so 
Job  was  tried,  and  found  true  gold.  Job  xxiii.  10. 
These  trials  are  not  made  by  God  for  his  own  in- 
formation. He  knows  what  is  in  man.  His  eyes 
pierce  his  heart  and  reins.  But  they  are  for  our 
information,  which  is  the  true  sense  of  Deut.  viii.  2. 
^  Thou  shalt  remember  all  the  way  which  the  Lord 
tliy  God  led  thee  these  forty  years  in  the  wilder- 
ness to  humble  thee,  and  to  prove  thee,  to  know 
what  wns  in  thy  heart ;"  that  is,  to  make  thee  know 
it,  by  giving  thee  such  experiments  and  trials  of  it^ 
in  those  wilderness  straits  and  difficulties^ 


Th^  Touchstone  of  Shiceriiy.  173 

And  these  are  the  trials  of  ^race  I  am  here  to 
speak  of,  not  excluding  the  active  trials  made  by 
ourselves.  No.  all  these  trials  made  by  God  upon 
us,  are  designed  to  put  us  upon  the  trial  of  oui'- 
selves.     When  God  tries,  we  should  try  too. 

Now  the  method  in  which  I  shall  arrange  this 
discourse,  shall  be  to  shew  you, 

Fi7'st,  what  those  things  are,  which  try  the  sin- 
cerity of  our  2;races,  as  fire  tries  gold. 

Secondly^  For  what  ends  doth  God  put  the  gra- 
ces of  his  people  upon  such  trials,  in  this  world. 

Thirdly^  That  such  grace  only  is  sincere,  as  can 
endure  these  trials. 

Fourthly  and  lastly,  To  apply  the  whole,  in  the 
main  uses  of  it, 

SECT.  II. 

Firsts  What  these  things  are,  which  try  the  sin- 
verity  of  grace,  as  fire  tries  gold. 

Before  I  enter  into  particulars,  it  will  be  needful 
to  acquaint  you,  that  the  subject  before  me  is  full 
t)f  difficulties.  There  is  need  (as  one  speaks)  of 
much  cautious  respect  to  the  various  sizes  and  de- 
grees of  growth  among  christians,  and  the  vicissi- 
tudes of  "their  inward  case;  else,  we  may  darken 
and  perplex  the  way,  instead  of  clearing  it. 

The  portrait  of  a  christian  is  such  as  none  can 
draw  to  one  model.  Respect  must  be  had  to  the 
infancy  of  some,  as  well  as  the  age  and  strength  of 
others. 

Great  care  ought  also  to  be  taken  in  the  applica- 
tion of  marks  and  signs.  We  should  first  try  them, 
before  we  try  ourselves  or  others  by  them.  Marks 
and  si<;ns  are  by  some  distinguished  into  exclusive, 
inclusive  and  positive.  Exclusive  marks  serve  to 
shut  out  bold  pretenders,  by  shewing  them  how  far 
they  come  short  of  a  saving  work  of  grace;  and 
tiiey   are    commonly  taken   from   some   necessary 


1 74  IVie  Touchstom  of  Sincerity. 

oommon  duty,  as  hearing,  praying,  &;c.  He  that 
cloth  not  these  things,  cannot  have  any  work  of 
grace  in  him,  and  yet  if  he  do  them,  he  cannot  from 
thence  conclude  his  estate  to  be  gracious.  lie  tliat 
so  concludes,  deceives  himself. 

Inclusive  marlvs  rather  discover  the  degrees  than 
the  trutli  of  grace,  and  are  rather  intended  for 
comfort  than  for  conviction.  If  we  find  them  in 
ourselves,  we  do  not  only  find  sincerity,  but  emi- 
nency  of  grace.  They  are  taken  from  some  raised 
degree  and  emiaent  acts  of  graces,  in  conlirmed  and 
grown  christians. 

Betwixt  the  two  former  there  is  a  middle  sort  of 
marks  which  are  called  positive  marks,  and  they 
are  such  as  are  always  and  only  found  in  regenerate 
souls.  The  hypocrite  hath  them  not.  The  grown 
christian  hath  them,  and  that  in  an  eminent  degree. 
The  poorest  christian  hath  them  in  a  lower,  but 
saving  degree.  Great  care  must  be  taken  in  the 
application  of  them.  And  it  is  past  doubt,  that 
many  weak  and  injudicious  christians  have  been 
greatl}'  prejudiced,  by  finding  the  experiences  of 
eminent  christians  })roposed,  as  rules  to  measure 
their  sincerity  by.  Alas  !  these  no  more  fit  their 
souls,  than  Saul's  armour  did  David's  body. 

These  things  being  premised,  and  a  due  care  car- 
ried along  with  us  through  this  discourse,  I  shall 
next  come  to  the  particulars,  and  shew  you  what 
lliose  things  are,  which  discover  the  state  and  tem- 
pers of  our  souls.  And  though  it  be  true,  that 
there  is  no  condition  we  are  in,  no  providence  that 
bcfals  us,  but  it  affords  some  proof,  and  makes 
some  discovery  of  our  hearts  ;  yet  to  limit  tliis  dis- 
course, and  fall  into  particulars  as  soon  as  we  can,  I 
shall  shew  what  trials  are  made  of  our  graces  in  this 
world,  by  our  prosperity  and  our  adversity,  by 
our  corruptions  and  our  duties,  and,  lastly,  by  our 
sufferings,  upon  the  score  and  account  of  religion. 


7%tf  Touchstone  of  Sincerity,  175 


SECT.  Ill, 


First,  Prosperity,  success,  and  the  increase  of 
outward  enjoyments,  are  to  grace  what  fire  is  to 
gold.  Riches  and  honours  make  trial  of  what  we 
are  ;  and  by  these  things  many  a  false  heart  has 
been  detected,  as  well  as  the  sincerity  and  eminen- 
cy  of  other  g  aces  discovered.  We  ma}?  fancy  the 
fire  of  prosperity  to  be  f-ather  for  comfort  than  trial, 
to  refresh  us  rather  than  to  prove  us,  but  you  will 
find  prosperity  to  be  a  great  discoverer,  and  that 
scarce  any  thing  proves  the  truth  and  strength  of 
men's  graces  and  corruptions  more  than  that  doth. 
Says  Bernard,  "  To  find  humility  with  honour,  is 
to  find  a  j.hoenix."  Let  an  obscure  person  be  lifted 
up  to  honour,  and  how  steady  and  well  composed 
soever  he  was  before,  it  is  a  thousand  to  one  but  his 
eyes  will  dazzle,  and  his  head  run  round,  when  he 
is  upon  the  XoiXy  pinnacle  of  praise  and  honour, 
Prov.  xxvii.  21.  "  As  the  fining-pot  for  silver,  and 
the  furnace  for  gold,  so  is  a  man  to  his  praise.'' — - 
Put  the  best  gold  into  the  fining-pot  of  praise,  and 
it  is  a  great  wonder  if  a  great  deal  of  dross  do  not 
-appear,  Isa.  xxxix.  2.  The  vain  glory  of  good 
Hezekiah  rose,  like  a  froth  or  scum  upon  the  pot^ 
w^hen  heated  by  prosperity.  It  was  such  a  fining- 
pot  to  Herod,  as  discovered  him  to  be  dross  itself. 
Acts  xii.  23.  How  did  that  poor  worm  swell,  un- 
der that  trial,  into  the  conceit  of  a  God,  and  was 
justly  destroyed  by  worms,  because  he  forgat  him- 
self to  be  one  !  We  little  think,  what  a  strange  al- 
teration an  exalted  estate  will  make  upon  our 
spirits.  When  the  prophet  would  abate  the  vain 
confidence  of  Hazael,  who  could  not  believe  that 
ever  he  should  be  turned  into  such  a  savage  beast 
as  the  prophet  had  foretold,  he  only  tells  him.  The 
Lord  hath  shewed  me,  that  thou  shalt  he  king 
over  Syria,  2  Kings,  viii.  13.  The  meaiung  is, 
P  2 


176  The  Touchstone  of  Sincerity. 

d6  not  be  too  confident  Hazael,  that  thy  temper  and 
disposition  can  never  alter  to  that  degree  Thou 
never  yet  sattest  on  a  throne.  When  men  see  the 
crown  upon  thy  head,  then  they  will  better  see  the 
true  temper  of  thy  heart. 

How  humble  was  Israelis  the  wilderness  I  How 
tame  and  tractable  in  a  lean  pasture  !  But  bring 
them  once  into  Canaan,  and  the  world  is  strange- 
\y  altered  ;  then,  we  are  Lords,  say  they,  we  will 
come  no  more  unto  thee,  Jer.  ii.  2,  7,  31.  Pros- 
perity is  a  crisis,  both  to  grace  and  corruption. — 
Thence  is  that  caution  to  Israel,  Deut.  x.  11,  12. — 
"  When  thou  hast  eaten,  and  art  full,  then  beware 
lest  thou  forget  the  Lord  thy  God."  Then  beware, 
that  is  the  critical  time.  Surely,  that  man  must  be 
acknowledged  rich,  very  rich  in  grace,  whose  grace 
suffers  no  diminution  or  eclipse  by  his  wealth  ;  and 
that  man  deserves  double  honour,  whose  pride  the 
honours  of  this  world  cannot  provoke  and  inflame. 

It  was  a  sad  truth  from  the  lips  of  a  pious  divine, 
irt  Germany,  upon  his  death-bed.  When  being 
somewhat  disconsolate,  by  reflecting  upon  the  bar- 
renness of  his  life,  some  friends  took  thence  an  oc- 
casion to  commend  him,  and  mind  him  cf  his  pain- 
ful ministry,  and  fruitful  life  among  them,  he  cried 
out,  Withdraw  the  fire,  for  I  have  chaff  in  me. 
Meaning  that  he  felt  his  ambition,  like  chaiT,  catch- 
ing fire  from  the  sparkles  of  their  praises.  Like  te 
this  was  the  saying  of  another,  He  that  praisetk 
mcy  ivounds  me. 

But,  to  descend  into  the  particular  discoveries, 
that  prosperity  and  honour  make  of  the  want  of 
grace  in  some,  and  of  the  tveakness  of  grace  in 
others  ;  I  will  shew  you  wliat  symptoms  of  hy- 
pocrisy appear  upon  some  men  under  the  trials  of 
prosperity,  and  what  signs  of  grace  appear  in 
others,  under  the  same  trial. 


The  Touchstone  of  SinceritT/.  1 77 


SECT.    IV. 

Prosperity  discovers  manj^  sad  symptoms  of  an 
evil  heart.  Among  others,  these  are  ordinarily 
most  conspicuous. 

1.  It  casts  the  hearts  of  some  men  into  a  deep 
oblivion  of  God,  and  makes  them  lay  aside  all  care 
of  duty.  "The  altars  of  rich  men  seldom  smoke." 
Deiit.  xxxii.  13,  14,  15.  Jeshurun  sucked  honey 
out  of  the  rock,  eat  the  fat  of  lambs,  and  kidneys 
of  wheat:  But  what  was  the  effect  of  this?  He 
kicked,  and  forsook  the  God  who  made  him,  and 
lightly  esteemed  the  Rock  of  his  salvation.  In- 
stead of  lifting  up  their  hearts  in  an  humble,  thank- 
ful acknowledgment  of  God's  bounty,  they  lifted 
up  the  heel  in  a  wan'on  abuse  of  his  mercy.  In 
the  fattest  earth  we  find  the  most  slippery  footing. 

He  that  is  truly  gracious  may,  in  prosperity,  re- 
mit some  degrees,  but  a  carnal  heart  there  loseth 
all  that  which  in  a  low  condition,  he  seemed  to 
have.  Agur's  deprecation,  as  to  himself,  no  doubt 
was  built  upon  his  frequent  observation  how  it  was 
with  others  ;  Prov.  xxx.  8,  9.  ^  Lest  I  be  full,  and 
deny  God.' 

It  is  said  in  Eccles.  v.  12,  ^That  the  abundance 
of  the  rich  will  not  suffer  him  to  sleep.'  I  wish 
that  were  the  worst  injury  it  did  him.  But,  alas  ! 
it  will  not  suffer  him  to  pray,  to  meditate,  to  allow 
time  and  thoughts  about  his  eternal  concerns.  He 
fails  asleep  in  the  lap  of  prosperity,  and  forgets  that 
there  is  a  God  to  be  served,  or  a  soul  to  be  saved. 
This  is  a  dangerous  symptom  of  a  very  graceless 
heart ! 

2.  Prosperity  meeting  with  a  graceless  heart, 
makes  it  wholly  sensual,  and  entirely  swallows  up 
its  thoughts  and  affections.  Earthly  things  trans- 
form and  mould  their  hearts  into  their  own  simili- 
tude and  nature.    The  whole  strength  of  their  souls 


178  The  Touchstone  of  Sinceriiy. 

goes  out  to  those  enjoyments.  So  those  graceless 
yet  prosperous  persons  are  described,  Job  xxi.  11 
12,  13.  '  They  take  the  timbrel  and  harp,  and  re- 
joice at  the  sound  of  the  organ  :  they  spend  their 
days  in  wealth.'*  They  take  the  timbrel,  not  the 
bible.  They  rejoice  at  the  sound  of  the  organ;  not 
a  word  of  their  rejoicing  in  God.  They  send  forth 
their  little  ones  in  the  dance.  That  is  all  the  cate- 
chism they  are  taught.  They  spend  their  days  in 
wealth.  Their  whole  time,  that  precious  stock  and 
talent,  is  wholly  aid  out  upon  these  sensitive  things. 
Either  the  pleasure  of  it  powerfully  charms  them  ; 
or  the  cares  of  it  so  wholly  engross  their  minds, 
that  their  is  no  time  to  spare  for  God  They  live 
in  pleasure  upon  earth,  as  it  is,  Jatn.  v.  5,  just  as 
the  fish  lives  in  the  water,  its  proper  element. — 
Take  him  off  from  these  things,  and  put  him  upon 
spiritual,  serious,  heavenly  employments,  and  he 
is  like  a  fish  upon  the  dry  land. 

Now,  though  prosperity  may  too  much  influence 
and  ensnare  the  minds  of  good  men,  and  estrange 
them  too  much  from  heavenly  things,  yet  thus  to 
engross  their  hearts,  and  convert  them  into  their 
own  similitude  and  nature,  so  that  these  things 
should  be  the  centre  of  their  hearts,  the  very  pro- 
Der  element  in  which  they  live,  is  utterly  impossi- 
ble. 

An  hypocrite  indeed  may  be  brought  to  this,  be- 
cause, though  Janus-like,  he  have  two  faces,  yet 
he  really  hath  but  one  principle;  and  that  is  wholly 
carnal  and  and  earthly.  So  that  it  is  easy  to  make 
all  the  water  to  run  in  one  channel ;  to  gather  all 
into  one  entire  stream,  in  which  his  heart  shall  pour 
out  all  its  strength  to  the  creature. 

But  a  christian  indeed  hath  a  double  principle 
that  actuates  him.  Though  he  have  a  law  of  sin 
that  moves  him  one  way,  yet  there  is  in  him  also 
the  law  of  grace,  which  thwarts  and  crosses  that 


The  Touchstone  of  Sincerity.  179 

principle  of  corruption.  So,  that  as  grace  cannot 
do  what  it  would  because  of  sin;  neither  can  sin  do 
what  it  would  because  of  grace,  Gal.  v.  17. 

The  heart  of  a  christian,  in  the  midst  of  ensnar- 
ing sensitive  enjoyments,  finds  indeed  a  corrupt 
principle  in  it,  which  would  incline  him  to  fall 
asleep  upon  such  a  soft  pillow,  and  forget  God  and 
duty.  But  it  cannot  do  so. — There  is  a  principle 
of  grace,  within  him,  that  never  leaves  disturbing, 
and  calling  upon  him,  till  he  rise  and  return  to  his 
God,  the  true  rest  of  his  soul. 

3.  A  false  pretender  to  religion,  an  hypocritical 
professor,  meeting  with  prosperity  and  success, 
grows  altogether  unconcerned  about  the  interest  of 
religion,  and  senseless  of  the  calamities  of  God's 
people.  Thus  the  prophet  convinces  the  Jews  of 
their  hypocrisy,  Jimos  vi.  1,  2,  3,  4,  5,  6.  '  They 
were  at  ease  in  Zion,  and  trusted  in  the  mountains 
of  Samaria.'  And  so,  having  a  shadow  of  religion, 
and  fulness  of  earthly  things,  they  fell  to  feasting 
and  sporting.  *  They  drank  wine  in  bowls,  and 
anointed  themselves  with  the  chief  ointments,  but 
were  not  grieved  for  the  afSiction  of  Joseph.'  If 
they  are  out  of  danger  once,  let  the  church  shift  for 
itself.  Let  the  birds  of  prey  catch  and  devour  that 
flock  with  which  they  sometimes  associated,  they 
are  not  touched  with  it.  Moses  could  not  do  so^ 
though  in  the  greatest  security  and  confluence  of 
the  honours  and  pleasures  of  Egypt,  *;^cts  vii.  23, 
Ni'.heiniah  could  not  do  so,  though  the  servant  and 
favourite  of  a  mighty  monarch,  and  wanted  nothing 
to  make  him  outwardly  happy ;  yet  the  pleasures 
of  a  king's  court  could  not  cheer  his  heart,  or  scat- 
ter the  clouds  of  sorrow  from  his  countenance, 
whilst  his  brethren  were  in  affliction,  and  the  city 
of  his  God  lay  waste,  Nehemiah  ii.  1,  2,  3.  Nor 
indeed  can  any  gracious  heart  be  unconcerned  and 
senseless,  for  that  union  which  all  the  saints  have 


180  The  Touchstone  of  Sincerity. 

with  Christ  their  head,  and  with  one  another  as  fel- 
low members  in  Christ,  will  be^et  sympathy  among 
them  in  their  sufferin2;s,  1  Cor.  xii.  2G. 

SECT.     V. 

But  as  the  fire  of  prosperity  discovers  this  and 
much  more  dross  in  a  graceless  heart,  so  it  disco- 
vers the  sincerity  and  grace  of  God's  people.  I 
say  not  that  it  discovers  nothing  but  grace  in  them. 
O  that  it  did  not !  alas  !  many  of  them  have  had  a 
great  deal  of  dross  and  corruption  riiscovered  by  it, 
as  was  noted  before.  But  yet  in  this  trial,  the  gra- 
ciousness  and  uprightness  of  their  hearts  will  ap- 
pear in  these  and  such  like  workings  of  it. 

1.  Under  prosperity,  success,  and  honour,  the 
upright  heart  will  labour  to  suppress  pride,  and 
keep  itself  lowly  and  humble;  and  still  the  more 
grace  there  is,  the  more  humility  there  will  be.  If 
God  lift  him  up,  he  will  lay  himself  low,  and  exalt 
his  God  high.  So  did  Jacob,  when  God  had  raised 
and  enlarged  him;  Gei-i.  xxxii.  10, 'I  am  not  worthy 
of  the  least  of  all  the  mercies,  and  of  ell  the  truth 
which  thou  hast  shewed  unto  thy  servant ;  for  with 
my  staff  I  passed  over  this  Jordan,  and  now  I  am 
become  two  bands.' 

Great  was  the  difference  in  Jacob's  outward  con- 
dition at  his  return,  from  what  it  w-as  a!  his  first 
passage  over  Jordan  :  then  poor,  now  rich  ;  then 
single  and  com.fortless,  now  tlic  head  of  a  great  fa- 
mily. But  though  his  outward  estate  was  altered, 
the  frame  of  his  heart  was  not  altered.  Jacob  was 
an  holy  and  humble  man  when  he  went  out,  and  so 
he  was  when  he  returiied.  He  saw  a  multitude  af 
mercies  about  him,  and  among  them  all  not  one  but 
was  greater  llian  himself. 

I  dare  not  say,  every  christian,  under  prosperity, 
can  at  all  timos  manifest  like  humility;  but  I  am 
sure  what  pride  and  vaiiity  soever  may  rise  in  a 


The  Tmicfistane  of  Sincerity.  181 

g;racIous  heart,  tried  by  prosperity,  there  is  that 
within  him  which  will  give  check  to  it.  He  dare 
not  suffer  such  proud  thono;hts  to  lodge  quietly  in 
his  heart;  for,  alas!  he  sees  that  in  himself,  and  that 
in  his  God,  which  will  abase  him.  Grace  will  make 
him  look  hack  to  his  original  condition,  and  say 
with  David,  'What  am  I,  0  Lord  God?  and  what 
is  my  father's  house,  that  thou  hast  brought  me 
hitherto?'  2  Sam.  vii.  18. 

It  will  make  him  look  in,  and  see  the  baseness  of 
his  own  heart,  and  the  corruptions  that  are  there, 
and  admire  at  the  dealings  of  God  with  so  vile  a 
creature.  0,  thinks  he,  if  others  did  but  know 
what  I  know  of  myself,  they  would  abhor  me, 
more  than  now  they  esteem  and  value  me. 

2.  Prosperity  usually  draws  forth  the  saints'  love 
to  the  God  of  their  mercies.  That  which  heats  a 
wicked  man's  lusts,  warms  a  gracious  man's  heart 
with  love  and  delight  in  God. 

These  were  'he  words  of  that  lovely  song  which 
David  sang,  in  the  day  that  the  Lord  delivered  him 
out  of  the  hands  of  all  his  enemies,  and  from  the 
hand  of  Saul:  *1  will  love  thee,  0  Lord,  my 
strength,'  Psalm  xviii.  Title  and  ve7\  1  compared. 
These  outward  things  are  not  the  main  grounds  and 
motives  of  their  love  to  God;  no,  they  love  him 
when  he  takes  away,  as  well  as  when  he  gives. 
But  they  are  sanctified  instruments  to  inflame  their 
love  to  God.  They  boil  up  a  wicked  man's  lust, 
but  they  melt  a  gracious  man's  soul.  0  in  what  a 
pang  of  love  did  David  go  into  the  presence  of 
God,  under  the  sense  of  his  mercies  !  his  melting 
mercies  !  when  he  thus  poured  out  his  whole  soul 
in  a  stream  of  love  to  his  God,  2  Sam.  vii.  19,  20. 
*Is  this  the  manner  of  men,  0  Lord  God  !  And 
what  can  David  say  more  unto  tJiee  ?'  An  expres- 
sion that  turns  up  the  very  bottom  of  his  heart. 


182  T}ie  Touchstone  of  Sincerity, 

3.  Prosperity  and  comfortable  providences  do 
usually  become  cautions  against  s'in,  when  they 
meet  with  a  sanctified  soul.  This  is  the  natural 
inference  of  a  gracious  soul  from  them.  Hath  God 
pleased  me,  then  hath  he  obliged  me  to  take  more 
care  to  please  him.  0  let  me  not  grieve  him  that 
hath  comforted  me !  So  Ezra,  ix.  13.  'After  such  a 
deliverance  as  this,  should  we  again  break  thy  com- 
mandments!' What!  break  his  commandments  who 
hath  broken  our  bonds  !  God  forbid  ! 

It  was  an  excellent  resolution  of  a  christian  once, 
who  receiving  an  eminent  mercy  at  the  same  time 
he  felt  himself  under  the  power  of  a  special  corrup- 
tion; "Well,  now  will  I  go  forth  in  the  strength  of 
this  mercy,  to  mortify  and  subdue  that  corruption." 
I  will  not  measure  every  christian  by  the  eminent 
workings  of  grace  in  some  one,  but  surely  so  far  I 
may  safely  go,  that  sincerity  knows  not  how  to  sin, 
because  grace  hath  abounded,  any  more  than  it  dare 
sin,  that  grace  may  abound. 

4.  A  truly  gracious  soul  will  not  be  satisfied  witii 
all  the  prosperity  and  comforts  in  the  world  for  hi.s 
portion.  Not  thine.  Lord,  but  thee,  is  the  voice 
of  grace.  When  providence  had  been  more  than 
ordinarily  bountiful  in  outward  things  to  Luther, 
he  began  to  be  afraid  of  its  meaning,  and  earnestly 
protested  God  should  not  put  him  ofi'  so.  *  The 
Lord  is  my  portion,  saith  my  soul,'  Lain.  iii.  24, 
and  the  soul  can  best  tell  what  it  hath  made  its 
choice,  and  whereon  it  hath  bestowed  its  chief  de- 
lights and  expectations. 

An  unsound  heart  will  accept  these  for  its  poi- 
tion.  If  the  world  be  sure  to  him,  and  his  designs 
fail  not  there,  he  can  be  content  to  leave  God,  and 
soul,  and  heaven,  and  hell  at  hazard  :  but  so  cannot 
the  upright.  These  things  in  subordination;  but. 
neither  these  nor  any  thing  under  the  sun  in  com- 
parison witli,  or  oppositon  to  God. 


The.  Touchstone  of  Sincerity,  183 


CHAP.  V. 

Shewing  what  probation  adversity  makes  of  the 
sincerity  or  imsoiindness  of  our  hearts. 

SECT.   I. 

That  adversity  is  a  furnace,  to  try.  of  what  me- 
tal our  hearts  are,  none  can  doubt,  who  hath  either 
studied  the  Scriptures,  or  observed  his  heart  under 
afflictions. 

When  the  dross  and  rust  of  hypocrisy  and  cor- 
ruption had  almost  eaten  out  the  heart  of  religion 
among  the  Jews,  then  saith  God,  *  I  will  melt  them, 
and  try  them :  for  what  shall  I  do  for  the  daughter 
of  my  people  ?'  Jer.  ix.  7.  Here  affliction  is  the 
furnace,  and  the  people  are  the  metal  cast  into  it, 
and  the  end  of  it  is  trial.  '  I  will  melt  them  and 
try  them ;'  what  other  course  shall  I  take  with 
them  ?  If  I  let  them  alone,  their  lusts,  like  the  rust 
and  canker  in  metals,  will  eat  them  out.  Prosper- 
ity multiplies  professors,  and  adversity  bnngs  ihem 
to  the  test :  then  hirelings  quickly  become  change- 
lings. The  gilded  potsherd  glisters  till  it  come  to 
scouring.  The  devil  thought  Job  had  been  such  a 
one,  and  moves  that  he  may  be  tried  this  way ; 
being  confident  he  would  be  found  but  dross  in  the 
trial,  Job.  i.  11.  But  though  the  furnace  of  afflic- 
tion discovered  some  dross  in  him  (as  it  will  in  the 
best  of  men)  yet  he  came  forth  as  gold. 

In  this  furnace  also  grace  is  manifested.  It  is 
said.  Rev.  xiii.  10,  *Here  is  the  patience  and  faith 
of  the  saints;'  that  is,  here  is  the  trial  and  disco- 
very of  it  in  these  days  of  adversity.  It  was  a 
weighty  saying  of  Tertullian  to  the  persecutors  of 
the  church  in  his  days,  '  Your  wickedness  is  the 
trial  of  our  innocency.'  Constantius,  the  father  of 
Constantine,  made  an  explanatory  decree,  that  aU 
Q 


154  The  Touchstone  of  Sineerii^, 

who  would  not  renounce  the  christian  faith,  should 
lose  their  places  of  honour  and  profit.  This  pre- 
sently separated  the  dross  from  the  gold,  which 
was  his  design.  Many  renounced  Christianity,  and 
^hereupon  were  renounced  by  him;  and  those  that 
held  their  integrity,  were  received  into  favour. 

In  time  of  prosperity,  hypocrisy  lies  covered  in 
the  heart,  like  nests  in  the  green  bushes;  but  when 
the  winter  of  adversity  hath  made  them  bare,  every 
body  may  see  them  without  searching. 

But  to  fall  into  closer  particulars :  it  will  be  ne- 
cessary to  inquire  what  efi'ects  of  adversity  are  com- 
mon to  both  the  sound  and  the  unsound,  and  then 
i^hat  are  proper  to  either  in  this  close  trial  by  ad- 
versity. 

SECT.  II. 

It  will  he  expedient  to  the  design  I  manage  io 
this  discourse  to  shew,  in  the  first  place,  what  are 
the  common  effects  of  adversity  to  both  the  godly 
and  ungodly.  In  some  things  they  differ  not,  but 
as  it  is  with  the  one,  so  also  with  the  other. 

1.  Both  the  godly  and  ungodly  may  fear  adver- 
sity before  it  comes.  A  wicked  man  cannot,  and 
it  is  evident  many  godly  men  do  not,  come  up  to 
the  height  of  that  rule,  James  i.  2.  '  To  account 
it  all  joy  when  they  fall  into  diverse  temptations,' 
or  trials  by  adversity. 

It  is  said,  Isa.  xxxiii.  14.  ••'The  sinners  in  Sion 
are  afraid ;  trembling  surprizeth  the  hypocrite ;' 
namely,  under  the  apprehension  of  approaching  ca- 
lamities. It  is  true  also,  the  saints  in  Sion  may  be 
afraid  :  <  My  flesh  trembleth  for  fear  of  thee,  and  I 
am  afraid  of  tliy  judgments,'  said  holy  David,  Psal. 
cxix.  120,  and  Job  iii.  23.  'The  thing  which  I  great:- 
ly  feared  (saith  that  upright  soul)  is  come  upon  me.' 
There  is  a  vast  difference  betwixt  a  saint  first  meet- 
ing with  aflBiictionSj  and  his  parting  w^ith  them.  He 


The  Touchstone  of  Sincerity.  185 

entertains  them  sometimes  with  tremblings ;  he 
parts  with  them  rejoicing,  smiling  on  them,  and 
blessing  them  in  the  name  of  the  Lord.  So  that 
by  this  the  upright  and  the  false  heart  are  not  dis- 
criminated ;  even  sanctified  nature  declines  suffer- 
ings and  troubles. 

2.  Both  the  godly  and  ungodly  may  entertain 
afflictions  with  regret  and  unwillingness  when  they 
come.  Afflictions  and  troubles  are  wormwood  and 
gall,  Lam.  iii.  19,  and  that  goes  not  down  present- 
ly with  flesh  and  blood,  Heb.  xii.  11.  'No  affliction 
for  the  present  seemeth  joyous,  but  grievous :'  he 
means  to  God's  own  people.  They  are  in  heavi- 
ness through  manifold  temptations  or  trials  by  the 
rod,  1  Pet.  i.  6.  When  God  gives  the  cup  of  af- 
fliction into  the  hands  of  the  wicked,  how  do  they 
reluctate  and  loathe  it  ?  And  though  the  portion  of 
the  saints'  cup  be  much  sweeter  than  theirs  (for  that 
bitter  ingredient  of  God,  vindictive  wrath  is  not  in 
it)  yet  even  they  shrink  from  it  and  ai'e  lotli  to 
taste  it. 

3.  Both  the  one  and  the  other  may  be  inipatient 
and  fretful  in  adversity.  It  is  the  very  nature  of 
flesh  and  blood  to  be  so.  *  The  wicked  are  like 
the  troubled  sea  which  cannot  rest,  whose  waters 
cast  forth  mire  and  dirt,'  Isa.  Ivii.  20.  It  is  an 
allusion  to  the  unstable  and  stormy  ocean.  You 
know  there  is  naturally  an  estuation  and  working 
in  the  sea,  whether  it  be  incensed  by  the  wind  or 
no ;  but  if  a  violent  v^^ind  blow  upon  the  unquiet 
ocean,  0  what  a  raging  and  foaming  is  there  !  what 
abundance  of  trash  and  filth  doth  it  at  such  times 
cast  out ! 

Now,  though  grace  make  a  great  difference  be- 
twixt one  and  another,  yet  I  dare  not  say,  but  even 
a  gracious  heart  may  be  very  unquiet  and  tumult- 
uous in  the  day  of  affliction.  Sanctified  souls  have 
their  passions  and  lusts,  which  are  too  little  morti- 


186  The  Touchstone  of  Sincerity. 

fied.  Jonah  was  a  good  man,  yet  his  soul  was  sad- 
ly distempered  by  adverse  providences;  Jonah  iv. 
9,  ^  Yea,  (saith  he,  and  that  to  his  God)  I  do  well 
to  be  angry,  even  unto  death.' 

4.  Both  the  one  and  the  other  may  be  weary  of 
the  rod,  and  think  the  day  of  adversity  a  tedious 
day,  wishing  it  were  once  at  an  end.  'Babylon 
shall  be  weary  of  the  evil  that  God  will  bring  upon 
it.'  0  that  none  of  Sion's  children  were  weary  of 
adversity  too  !  How  sad  a  moan  doth  Job  make  of 
his  long  continued  affliction.  Job  xvi.  6,  7.  '  Though 
I  speak,  my  grief  is  not  assuaged  ;  and  though  I 
forbear,  what  am  I  eased  ?  But  now  he  hath  made 
me  weary.' 

And  if  you  look  into  Psabn  vi.  3,  6.  3^ou  may 
£ee  another  strong  christian  tired  in  the  way  of  af- 
flictions :  '  My  soul,  (saith  David  in  that  place)  is 
sore  vexed,  but  thou,  0  Lord,  how  long?  lam 
weary  with  groaning.' 

5.  Both  the  one  and  the  other  may  be  driven  to 
their  knees  by  adversity.  *Lord,  in  trouble  have 
they  visited  thee ;  they  have  poured  out  a  prayer 
when  thy  chastening  was  upon  them,'  Isci.  xxvi. 
16.  Not  that  a  godly  person  will  pray  no  longer 
4han  the  rod  is  at  his  back.  0  no,  he  cannot  live 
without  prayer  long,  how  few  calls  soever  he  hath 
to  that  duty  by  the  rod.  But  when  the  rod  is  on 
^is  back,  he  will  be  more  frequently  and  more  fer- 
vently upon  his  knees.  Indeed  many  graceless 
hearts  are  like  children's  tops,  which  will  go  no 
longer  than  tiiey  are  whipt;  they  cannot  find  their 
knees  and  their  tongues,  till  God  find  a  rod  to  ex- 
c  te  them.  A  dangerous  symptom  !  The  same  af- 
fliction may  put  a  gracious,  and  a  graceless  soul  to 
their  knees;  but  though  in  the  external  matter  of 
duty,  and  in  the  external  call  or  occasion  of  duty 
they  seem  to  agree,  yet  is  there  a  vast  difference  in 
Vie  principles,   manners,  and  ends  of  these  their 


The  Touchstone  of  Sincerity.  187 

duties  ;  as  will  evidently  appear  in  its  proper  place 

in  our  following  discourse. 

But  by  what  has  been  said  in  this  section,  you 
may  sec  how  in  some  things  the  holy,  upright  soul 
acts  too  much  like  the  unsanctitied,  and  in  other 
things  how  much  the  hypocrite  may  act  like  a 
saint.  He  may  be  externally  humbled ;  so  was 
Ahab.  He  may  pray  under  the  rod,  Mai.  ii.  13, 
yea,  and  request  others  to  pray  for  him  j  so  did  Si- 
mon, Acts  viii.  24. 

SECT.   Ill, 

But  though  the  sound  and  unsound  heart  differ 
not  in  some  external  carriages  under  the  rod,  yet 
there  are  effects  of  adversity  which  are  proper  to 
either,  and  will  discriminate  them.  To  which  end 
let  us  first  see  what  effects  adversity  is  usually  fol- 
lowed withal  in  unsound  and  carnal  hearts,  and  we 
shall  find  among  others,  these  five  symptoms  of  an 
evil  heart  appearing  under  crosses  and  afflictions. 

1.  A  graceless  heart  is  not  quickly  and  easily 
brought  to  see  the  hand  of  God  in  those  troubles 
that  befal  it,  and  be  duly  affected  with  it.  Isa.  xxvi. 
11.  "  Lord,  when  thy  hand  is  lifted  up,  they  will 
not  see  :'^  when  it  has  smitten,  or  is  lifted  up  to 
smite,  they  shut  their  eyes.  It  is  the  malice  of  this 
man,  or  the  negligence  of  that,  or  the  unfaithfulness 
of  another,  that  hath  brouglit  all  this  trouble  upon 
me.  Thus  the  creature  is  the  horizon  that  terminates 
their  sight,  and  beyond  that  they  usually  see  noth- 
ing. Sometimes,  indeed,  the  hand  of  God  is  so  im- 
mediately manifested,  and  convincingly  discovered 
in  afflictions,  that  they  cannot  avoid  the  sight  of  it; 
and  then  they  may  (in  their  way)  pour  out  a  prayer 
before  him.  But  ordinarily  they  impute  all  to 
second  causes,  and  overlook  the  first  cause  of  their 
troubles. 

Q  2 


ISS  The  Touchstone  of  Sincerity, 

2.  Nor  is  it  usual  with  these  men  under  the  rod 
to  retire  into  their  closets,  and  search  their  hearts 
there,  to  find  out  the  particular  cause  and  provoca- 
tion of  their  affliction.  No  man  repented  him  of 
his  wickedness,  saying  what  have  I  done  ?  Jer. 
viii.  6.  What  cursed  thing  is  there  with  me,  that 
hath  thus  increased  the  anger  of  God  against  me  ? 
God  visits  their  iniquities  with  afflictions,  but  they 
visit  not  their  own  hearts  by  self-examination.  God 
judges  them,  but  they  judge  not  themselves  :  He 
shews  their  iniquities  in  a  clear  glass,  but  none 
saith,  What  have  I  done?  This  phrase,  What  have 
I  done,  is  the  voice  of  one  that  recollects  himself 
after  a  rash  action;  or  the  voice  of  a  man  astonish- 
ed at  the  discovery  afflictions  make  of  his  sins,  but 
no  such  voice  as  this  is  ordinarily  heard  among  car- 
nal men. 

3.  An  unsound  professor,  if  left  to  his  choice, 
would  rather  choose  sin  than  affliction.  He  sees 
more  evil  in  the  latter  than  in  the  former. 

And  it  cannot  be  doubted,  if  we  consider  the 
principle  by  which  the  unregenerate  are  actuated, 
is  sense,  not  faith.  Hence  Job's  friends  would 
have  argued  his  hypocrisy,  Job  xxxvi.  21.  And 
had  their  application  been  as  right  as  their  rule,  it 
would  have  concluded  it;  "This  (viz.  sin)  hast 
thou  chosen,  rather  than  affliction.'^ 

I  do  not  say  that  an  upright  man  cannot  commit 
a  moral  eviL  to  escape  a  penal  evil.  0  that  daily 
observation  did  not  too  plentifully  furnish  us  with 
sad  instances  of  that  kind  !  But  upright  ones  do 
not,  dare  not,  upon  a  serious,  deliberate  discussion 
and  debate,  chuse  sin  rather  than  affliction.  What 
they  may  do  upon  surprisals,  and  in  the  violence  of 
temptation,  is  of  another  nature. 

But  a  false  and  unsound  heart  discovers  itself  in 
the  choice  it  makes  upon  deliberation,  and  that 
frequently  when  sin  and  trouble  come  in  competi- 


The  Touchstone  of  Sincerity.  189 

tion.  "  Put  the  case/'  says  t^^ugiistine,  "  a  ruffian 
should  with  one  hand  set  the  cup  of  drunkenness  to 
thy  mouth,  and  with  the  other  a  dagger  to  thy 
breast,  and  say,  Drink  or  die  :  thou  shouldst  rather 
chuse  to  die  sober,  than  to  live  a  drunkard."  Many 
christians  have  resisted  unto  blood,  striving  against 
sin,  and  with  renowned  Moses,  chosen  affliction, 
the  worst  of  afflictions,  yea  death  itself  in  the  most 
formidable  appearance,  rather  than  sin.  It  is  the 
habitual  temper  and  resolution  of  every  gracious 
heart  so  to  do,  though  those  holy  resolutions  arc 
•sometimes  overborne  by  violence  of  temptation. 

But  the  hypocrite  dreads  less  the  defilement  of 
his  soul,  than  the  loss  of  his  estate,  liberty,  or  life. 
If  you  ask,  upon  what  ground  then  doth  the  apostle 
suppose,  1  Cor.  xiii.  3.  a  man  may  give  his  body  to 
be  burnt,  and  not  have  charity  ?  The  answer  is  at 
hand.  They  that  chuse  death  in  the  sense  of  this 
lext,  do  not  chuse  it  to  escape  sin,  but  to  feed  and 
indulge  it.  Those  strange  adventures  (if  any  such 
be)  are  rather  to  maintain  their  own  honour,  and 
enrol  their  names  among  worthy  and  famous  per- 
sons to  posterity  ;  or  out  of  a  blind  zeal  to  their  es- 
poused errors  and  mistakes,  than  in  a  due  regard  to 
the  glory  of  God,  and  preservation  of  integrity.  "  I 
fear  to  speak  it,  but  it  must  be  spoken,  (says  Je- 
rome) that  even  martyrdom  itself,  when  suffered 
for  admiration  and  applause,  profits  nothing." 

4.  It  is  the  property  of  an  unregenerate  soul,  un- 
der adversity,  to  turn  from  creature  to  creature  for 
support  and  comfort,  and  not  from  every  creature 
to  God  alone.  So  long  as  their  feet  can  touch 
ground,  I  mean,  feel  any  creature  relief  or  comfort 
under  them,  they  can  subsist  and  live  in  afflictions ; 
but  when  they  lose  ground,  when  all  creature  re- 
fuge fails,  then  their  hearts  fail  too. 

Thus  Zi*dekiah,  and  the  self-deceiving  Jews, 
when  they  saw  their  own  strength  failed  them,  and 


l^(t  The   Touchstone  of  SinctriUj, 

there  was  little  hope  left  that  they  should  dellvef 
themselves  from  the  Chaldeans,  what  do  they  \\\ 
that  strait  ?  Do  they  with  upright  Jehosophat  say, 
"  Our  eyes  are  unto  thee?"  No,  their  eyes  were 
upon  Esjypt  for  succour,  not  upon  heaven.  Well, 
"  Pharaoh  and  his  aids  are  left  still,  all  hope  is  not 
gone,"  Jer.  xxxvii.  9.  See  the  like  in  Ahaz,  in 
sore  distress  he  courts  the  king  of  Assyria  for  help, 
2  Chron.  xxvii.  22,23.  That  project  failing,  why 
then  he  will  try  what  the  gods  of  Damascus  can  do 
for  him.     Any  way,  rather  than  the  right  way. 

So  it  is  with  many  others.  If  one  child  die, 
what  do  they  do  ?  Run  to  God,  and  comfort  them- 
selves in  this,  "The  Lord  liveth  though  my  child 
die  ?"  U  an  estate  be  lost,  and  a  family  sinking, 
do  they  with  David  comfort  themselves  in  the  ever- 
lasting covenant,  ordered  and  sure  ?  No,  but  if 
one  relation  die,  there  is  another  alive.  If  an  es- 
tate be  gone,  yet  not  all ;  something  is  left  still, 
and  the  case  will  mend. 

As  long  as  ever  such  men  have  any  visible  en- 
couragement, they  will  hang  upon  it,  and  not  make 
up  all  in  Christ,  and  encourage  themselves  in  the 
Lord.  To  tell  them  of  rejoicing  in  the  Lord,  when 
the  fig-tree  blossoms  not,  is  what  they  cannot  un- 
derstand. 

5.  To  conclude  ;  an  unsound  heart  never  comes 
out  of  the  furnace  of  affliction  purged,  mortified, 
and  more  spiritual  and  holy  than  when  he  was  cast 
into  it.  His  scum  and  dross  is  not  there  separated 
from  him.  Nay,  the  more  he  is  afflicted,  the  worse 
hti  is,  "  Why  should  ye  be  smitten  any  more  ?  ye 
will  revolt  more  and  more,"  Isa.  i.  5.  And  to 
keep  our  metaphor,  consult  Jer.  vi.  29.  God  hath 
put  that  incorrigible  people  into  the  furnace  of  af- 
fliction, and  kept  them  long  in  that  fire  :^  and  what 
was  the  issue?  Why,  saith  the  prophet,  '<  The  bel- 
lows are  burnt,  the  lead  is  consumed  of  the  fire,  the 


The  Touchstone  of  Sincerity.  191 

founder  melteth  in  vain,  &c.  ;  reprobate  silver  shall 
men  call  them,  because  the  Lord  hath  rejected 
them." 

If  the  fire  of  affliction  be  continually  blown  till 
the  very  bellows  be  burnt,  that  is,  the  tongue,  or 
rather  lungs  of  the  prophet,  though  these  he  even 
spent  in  reproving  and  threatening,  and  deno  jnc- 
ing  woe  upon  woe,  and  judgment  upon  judgment, 
and  God  fulfils  his  word  upon  them;  yet  still  they 
are  as  before.  The  dross  remains,  though  Jerusalem 
be  made  a  furnace,  and  the  inhabitants  boiling  in 
it  over  a  fierce  fire  of  affliction.  Yet  as  it  is  noted 
(pertinently  to  my  discourse)  in  Ezek.^yixi.  13. 
The  scum  retnains  with  them,  and  cannot  be  se- 
parated by  the  fire.  The  reason  is  plain,  because 
no  affliction  in  itself  purges  sin,  but  as  it  is  sancti- 
fied, and  works  in  the  virtue  of  God's  blessing, 
and  in  pursuance  of  the  promises. 

0  think  on  this  you  that  have  had  thousands  of 
afflictions  in  one  kind  and  another,  and  none  of 
them  all  have  done  you  good  !  They  have  not 
mortified,  humbled,  or  benefitted  you  at  all.  Thus 
you  see  what  the  effects  of  adversity  are,  when  it 
meets  a  graceless  heart. 

SECT.   IV. 

By  this  time,  reader,  I  suppose  thou  art  desirous 
to  know  what  effects  adversity  and  affliction  have 
when  they  meet  with  an  honest  and  sincere  heart. 
Before  I  come  to  particulars,  however,  I  think  it 
needful  to  acquaint  thee,  that  the  fruits  of  afflictions 
are  mostly  after-fruits,  and  not  so  discernible  by 
the  christian  himself  under  the  rod,  as  after  he  hath 
been  exercised  by  it,  Heb.  xii.  11,  and  calmly  re- 
flects upon  what  is  past.  Nor  doth  every  christian  *« 
attain  the  r^ame  measure  and  degree.  Some  rejoice, 
others  commonly  submit.     But  I  think  these  sevea 


192  The,  Touchstone  of  Sincerity. 

effects  are  ordinarily  found  in  all  upright  hearts 
that  pass  under  the  rod.  > 

1.  The  sincere  and  upright  soul  betakes  itself  to 
God  in  affliction.  Job  i.  20.  When  God  was  smi- 
ting, Job  was  praying ;  when  God  afflicted,  Job 
worshipped.  So  David,  Psalm  cxvi.  3,  4.  "  I  found 
sorrow  and  trouble,  then  called  I  upon  the  name  of 
the  Lord."  And  when  the  messenger  of  Satan  buf- 
feted Paul,  For  this  cause,  saith  he,  I  besought  the 
Lord  thrice,  2  Cor.  xii.  8.  Alas !  whither  should 
a  child  go  in  distress,  but  to  its  father  ? 

2.  He  sees  and  owns  the  hand  of  God  in  his  af- 
flictions, how  much  or  little  soever  of  the  instru- 
ments of  trouble  appear.  The  Lord  hath  taken 
away,  saith  Job,  Job  i.  21.  God  hath  hidden  him, 
saith  David,  2  Sam.  xvi.  10.  If  the  blow  come 
from  the  hand  of  a  wicked  man,  yet  he  sees  that 
wicked  hand  in  God's  righteous  hand,  PsalinxYu. 
14.  And  this  apprehension  is  fundamental  to  all 
that  communion  men  have  with  God  in  their  afflic- 
tions, and  to  all  that  peaceableness  and  gracious  sub- 
mission of  their  spirits  under  the  rod.  He  that 
sees  nothing  of  God  in  his  troubles,  hath  nothing 
of  God  in  his  soul. 

3.  He  can  justify  God  in  all  the  afflictions  and 
troubles  that  come  upon  him,  be  they  ever  so  se- 
vere. ^  Thou  art  just  in  all  that  is  brought  upon  us,' 
saith  Nehemiah,  Nehem.  ix.  33.  "  Thou  hast  pun- 
ished us  less  than  our  iniquities  deserve,"  saith 
Ezra,  Ezra  ix.  13.  "It  is  of  the  Lord's  mercy 
we  are  not  consumed,"  saith  the  church.  Lain.  iii. 
22.  Are  we  in  Babylon  ?  it  is  a  mercy  we  are  not 
in  hell.  If  God  condemn  him,  yet  he  will  justify 
God  ;  if  God  cast  him  into  a  sea  of  trouble,  yet  he 
will  acknowledge,  in  all  that  sea  of  trouble,  there  is 
not  one  drop  of  injustice.  If  I  have  not  deserved 
such  usage  from  the  hands  of  men,  yet  I  have  de- 
served worse  than  this  at  the  hands  of  God. 


The  Touchstone  of  Sincerity,  193 

4.  Afflictions  melt  and  humble  gracious  hearts. — 
There  is  an  habitual  tenderness  planted  in  their 
spirits,  and  a  just  occasion  quickly  draws  it  forth. — 
And  so  usual  a  thing  it  is  for  gracious  hearts  to  be 
humbled  under  the  afflictings  of  God,  that  affliction 
is  upon  that  score  called  humiliation.  The  effect  is 
put  for  the  cause,  to  shew  where  one  is,  the  other 
will  be,  2  Cor.  xii.  21.  My  God  will  humble  me, 
that  is,  he  will  afflict  me  with  the  sight  of  your  sin 
and  disorders.  And,  if  a  gracious  soul  be  so  apt  to 
be  humbled  for  other  men's  sins,  much  more  for  his 
own. 

5.  The  upright  soul  is  inquisitive,  under  the  rod, 
to  find  out  that  evil  for  which  the  Lord  contends 
with  him  by  affliction.  Job.  x.  2.  "  Shew  me 
wherefore  thou  contendest  with  me;''  And  Job 
xxxiv.  31.  "That  wiiich  I  see  not,  teach  thou  me  ; 
I  have  done  iniquity,  I  will  do  no  more."  So  Lam. 
iii.  39,  40.  "Let  us  search  and  try  our  ways  and 
turn  again  to  the  Lord."  In  afflicting  God  searches 
them,  and  under  afflictions  they  search  themselves. 
Willing  they  are  to  hear  the  voice  of  the  rod,  and 
glad  -f  any  discovery  it  makes  of  their  hearts. 

The  upright  heart  chuseth  to  lie  under  affliction, 
rather  than  be  delivered  from  it  by  sin.  I  say  this 
is  the  choice  and  resoulution  of  every  upright 
heart,  however  it  may  be  sometimes  overborne  by 
the  violence  of  temptation,  Heb.  xi.  35.  Not  ac- 
cepting^ deliverance,  viz.  upon  sinful  terms  and 
conditions. 

They  are  sensible  how  the  flesh  smarts  under 
the  rod,  but  had  rather  it  should  smart,  than  con- 
science should  smart  under  guilt.  ^'Affliction," 
saith  an  upright  soul,"  grieves  me,  but  sin  will  ^ 
grieve  God  ;  affliction  wounds  my  soul.  Deliver- 
ance I  long  for,  but  I  will  not  pay  so  dear  for  it, 
how  much  so  ever  I  desire  it.  Outward  ease  v^ 
sweet,  but  inward  peace  is  sweeter." 


194  The  Touchstone  of  Sincerity. 

7.  He  prizeth  the  spiritual  good  gotten  by  af- 
fliction above  deliverance  from  it,  and  can  bless 
God  from  his  heart  for  those  mercies,  how  dear 
soever  *his  flesh  hath  paid  for  them.  Psalm  cxix. 
67,  and  71.  It  is  good  for  me  that  I  have  been 
afflicted.  Such  is  the  value,  the  people  of  God 
have  for  spiritual  graces,  that  they  cannot  think 
them  dear,  what  ever  their  flesh  hath  paid  for 
them.  The  mortification  of  one  lust,  one  discovery 
of  sincerity,  one  manifestation  of  God  to  their 
souls,  doth  much  more  than  make  amends  for  all 
that  they  have  endured  under  the  rod. 

Is  patience  improved,  self-acquaintance  increased, 
the  vanity  of  the  creature  more  effectually  taught, 
longings  after  heaven  inflamed  ?  0  blessed  afflic- 
tions, that  are  attended  with  such  blessed  fruits  !  It 
was  the  saying  of  a  holy  man,  under  a  sore  trouble 
for  the  death  of  an  only  son,  when  in  that  dark  day 
God  had  graciously  manifested  himself  to  his  soul, 
"  0,  I  would  be  contented  (if  it  were  possible)  to 
lay  an  only  son  in  the  grave,  every  day  I  have  to 
live  in  the  world,  for  one  such  discovery  of  the  love 
of  God  as  I  now  enjoy  !" 


CHAP.  VII. 


Shewing  what  proof  or  trialis  made  of  the  sound- 
ness or  unsoundness  of  our  graces  by  the  duties 
of  religion  which  tee  perform. 


SECT.  I. 


We  now  come  (according  to  the  method  propos- 
ed) to  make  trial  of  the  truth  or  falseness  of  grace, 
by  the  duties  we  daily  perform  in  religion.  And 
certainly,  they  also  have  the  use  and  efficacy  of  fire, 
for  this  discovery.  1  Joh7i  ii.  4,  5.  *  He  that  saith 


The.  Touchstone  of  Sincerity.  195 

I  know  him,  and  keepeth  not  his  commandments, 
is  a  liar,  and  the  truth  is  not  in  him  :  but  whoso 
keepeth  his  word,  in  him  verily  is  the  love  of  God 
perfected.  And  hereby  know  we  that  we  are  ia 
him.' 

This  is  a  practical  lie  of  which  the  apostle  speaks 
here;  by  which  men  deceive  others  for  a  while, 
and  themselves  for  ever :  a  lie  not  spoken,  but  done, 
when  a  man's  course  of  life  contradicts  his  profes- 
sion. The  life  of  an  hypocrite  is  but  one  lon^  or 
continued  lie;  he  saith  or  professeth  he  knows  God, 
but  takes  no  care  at  all  to  obey  him  in  the  duties  he 
commands.  He  either  neglects  them,  or  if  he  per- 
forms them,  it  is  not  as  God  requires  If  they 
*  draw  nigh  to  him  with  their  lips,  yet  their  heart 
is  far  from  him,'  Isa.  xxix.  13.  *  Thou  art  near  in 
Iheir  mouth,  but  far  from  their  reins.'  Jer.  xii.  2. 

There  are  some  that  feel  the  influence  and  powey 
of  their  communion  with  the  Lord  in  duties,  going 
down  to  their  very  reins;  and  there  are  others, 
Avhose  lips  and  tongues  only  are  touched  with  reli- 
gion. 

This  is  an  age  of  light  and  much  profession.— 
Men  cannot  now  keep  up  a  reputation  in  the  sober 
and  professing  world,  whilst  they  set  down,  and 
totally  neglect  the  duties  of  religion ;  but  surely, 
if  men  would  be  but  just  to  themselves,  their  very 
performances  of  duty  would  tell  them  what  their 
hearts  are. 

SECT.   II. 

There  are,  among  others,  these  following  par- 
ticulars, that  do  very  clearly  shew  the  difference 
between  the  sound  and  the  unsound  professor. 

1.  The  designs  and  true  aims  of  men's  hearts  in 
duty,  will  tell  them  what  they  are.   • 

An  hypocrite  aims  low;  Hos.  vJl.  14.  ^-'They 
have  not  cried  to  me  with  their  hearts  when  they 
R 


19^  The  Touchstone  of  Smcerity^. 

Bowled  upon  their  beds ;  they  assemble  themselves 
fbr  corn  and  wine,  and  they  rebel  against  nie. "  It 
is  not  for  Christ  and  pardon,  for  mortification  and 
fioliness,  but  for  corn  and  wine.  Thus  they  make 
a  market  of  religion.  All  their  ends  in  duty  are 
either  carnal,  natural,  or  legal.  It  is  either  to  ac- 
commodate their  carnal  ends,  or.  satisfy  and  quiet 
their  consciences,  and  so  their  duties  are  performed 
as  a  sin-offering  to  God. 

But  an  upright  heart  hath  very  high  and  pure 
aims  in  duty;  *^  The  desire  of  their  souls  is  God,' 
Isa.  xxvi.  8.  ^  Their  soul  follows  hard  after  God,* 
Psal.  Ixiii.  8.  *  One  thing  have  I  desired  of  the 
Lord,  that  will  I  seek  after,  that  I  might  dwell  in 
the  house  of  the  Lord  all  the  days  of  my  life,  to  see 
the  beauty  of  the  Lord,  and  to  inquire  in  his  tem- 
ple.' Psal.  xxvii.  4.  These  are  the  true  eagles  that 
play  at  the  sun,  and  will  not  stoop  to  low  and  earth- 
ly objects.  Alas  !  if  the  enjoyment  of  God  be  mis- 
sed in  a  duty,  it  is  not  the  greatest  enlargements  of 
gifts  will  satisfy.  He  comes  back,  like  a  man  that 
has  taken  a  long  journey,  to  meet  his  friend  upon 
important  business,  and  lost  his  labour.  His  friend 
was  not  there. 

2.  The  engagements  of  men^s  hearts  to  God  in 
duties,  will  tell  them  what  they  are.  The  hypo- 
crite takes  little  heed  to  his  heart,  Isa.  xxxix.  13. 
They  are  not  afflicted  really  for  the  hardness,  dead- 
ness,  unbelief,  and  wanderings  of  their  hearts  in 
duty,  as  upright  ones  are;  nor  do  they  engage  their 
hearts,  and  labour  to  draw  near  unto  God  in  duty* 
as  his  people  do.  *I  have  intreated  thy  favour  with 
my  whole  heart/  saith  David,  Psalm  cxix.  58. 
They  are  not  pleased  in  duty  until  they  feel  their, 
hearts  stand  towards  God,  like  a  bow  in  its  full  bent 
r  say  not  that  it  is  always  so  with  them ;  what 
would  they  give  that  it  might  be  so  ?    But,  surely. 


The  Touchstone  of  Sincerity.  197 

if  their  souls  in  duty  be  empty  of  God^  they  are 
filled  with  trouble  and  sorrow. 

3.  The  conscience  men  make  of  secret,  as  well 
as  public  duties,  will  tell  them  what  their  hearts 
and  graces  are  ;  whether  true  or  false.  A  vain  pro- 
fessor is  curious  in  the  former,  and  either  negligent, 
or  at  best  formal  in  the  latter;  for  he  finds  no  in- 
ducements of  honour,  applause,  or  ostentation  of 
gifts,  externally  moving  him  to  them ;  nor  hath  he 
any  experience  of  the  sweetness  and  benefit  of  such 
duties  internally,  to  allure  and  engage  his  soul  to 
them. 

The  hypocrite  therefore  is  not  for  the  closet,  but 
the  synagogue,  Matth.  vi.  5,  6.  Not  but  that  edu- 
cation, example,  or  the  impulse  of  conscience,  may 
sometimes  drive  him  thither,  but  it  is  not  his  daily 
delight  to  be  there.  It  is  not  his  meat  and  drink 
to  retire  from  the  clamour  of  the  world,  to  enjoy 
God  in  secret  The  observation  of  their  duties,  is 
the  great  inducement  to  these  men  to  perform  them, 
and  'verily,'  saith  our  Lord,  ver.  2,  'they  have 
their  reward  ;'  this  is  all  the  benefit  and  advantge 
they  derive  from  religion.  Much  good  may  it  do 
them  with  their  applause  and  honour.  Let  them 
make  much  of  that  airy  reward,  for  it  is  all  that 
ever  they  shall  have. 

But  now  for  a  soul  truly  gracious,  he  cannot  long 
subsist  without  secret  prayer.  It  is  true,  there  is 
not  always  an  equal  freedom  and  delight,  a  like  en- 
largement and  comfort  in  those  retirements ;  but 
yet  he, cannot  be  without  them.  He  finds  the  want 
of  his  secret,  in  his  public  duties.  If  he  and  his 
God  have  not  met  in  secret,  and  had  some  commu- 
nion in  the  morning,  he  sensibly  finds  it,  in  the 
deadness  and  unprofitableness  of  his  heart  and  life, 
all  the  day  after. 

4.  The  spirituality  of  our  duties  tries  the  since- 
rity of  our  graces.     An  unregenerate  heart  is  car- 


198  The  Touchstone  of  Sincerity. 

nal,  whilst  engaged  in  duties  that  are  spiritual. 
Some  men  deceive  themselves  in  thinking  they  are 
spiritual  men,  because  their  employment  and  call- 
ing is  about  spiritual  things,  Hosea  ix.  7.  This 
indeed  gives  them  the  denomination,  but  not  the 
frame  of  spiritual  men.  Others  judge  themselves 
spiritual  persons  because  they  frequently  perform 
and  attend  upon  spiritual  duties.  But,  alas !  ^he 
heart  and  state  may  be  carnal  notwithstanding  all 
this.  O,  my  friends,  it  is  not  enough  that  the  ob- 
ject of  your  duties  is  spiritual,  that  they  respect  an 
holy  God ;  nor  that  the  matter  be  spiritual,  that 
you  be  conversant  about  holy  things  ;  but  the  frame 
of  your  heart  must  be  spiritual ;  an  heavenly  tem- 
per of  soul  is  necessary,  and  what  are  the  most 
heavenly  duties  without  it  ? 

The  end  and  design  you  aim  at  must  be  spiritual ; 
it  must  be  the  enjoyment  of  God,  and  a  growing 
conformity  to  him  in  holiness;  else,  multiply  du- 
ties as  the  sand  on  the  sea-shore,  and  they  all  will 
not  amount  to  one  evidence  of  your  sincerity. — 
»  God  is  my  witness,  whom  I  serve  with  my  spirit,' 
saith  the  apostle,  Rom.  i.  9.  He  seems  to  appeal 
to  God  in  this  matter.  "I  serve  God  in  my  spirit, 
and  God  knows  that  I  do  so.  I  dare  appeal  to  him 
that  it  is  so.  He  knows  that  my  heart  is  with  him, 
or  would  be  with  him  in  my  duties.  The  arms  of 
my  faith  do  either  sensibly  grasp,  or  are  stretched 
out  towards  him  in  mv  duties."  0  how  little  fa- 
vour do  gracious  hearts  find  in  the  most  excellent 
duties,  if  God  and  their  souls  do  not  sensibly  meet 
in  them  ! 

Certainly,  reader,  there  is  a  time  when  God 
comes  niorh  to  men  in  duty;  when  he  deals  fami- 
liarly with  men,  and  sensibly  fills  their  souls  with 
unusual  powers  and  delights.  The  near  approaches 
of  God  to  their  souls  are  felt  by  them,  (for  souls 
have  their  sense  as  well  as  bodies)  and  now  arc 


The  Touchstont  of  Sinceriti;.  T99 

their  minds  abstracted  and  marvellously  refined, 
from  all  that  is  material  and  earthly,  and  swallow- 
ed up  in  spiritual  excellencies  and  glories. 

These  are  the  real  foretastes  of  glory,  which  no 
man  can,  by  words,  make  another  to  understand,  as 
he  himself  doth  that  feels  them. 

These  seasons,  I  confess,  do  but  rarely  occur  to 
the  best  of  christians,  nor  continue  long  when  they 
do:*  Alasi  this  wine  is  too  strong  for  such  weak 
bottles  as  we  are.  ''  Hold,  Lord,''  an  holy  man 
said  once,  ^^thy  poor  creature  is  a  clay  vessel,  and 
can  contain  no  more."  This  is  that  joy  unspeak- 
able, and  full  of  glory,  which  is  mentioned  1  Pei, 
i.  7,  8 ;  something  that  words  cannot  describe.- — 
These  seasons  are  the  golden  spots  of  our  live:^ 
when  we  are  admitted  to  these  near  and  ineffable 
views  and  tastes  of  God.  Possibly  some  poor  chris- 
tians can  say  but  little  to  these  things.  Their  sor- 
rows are  exercised  in  duties  more  than  their  joys. 
They  are  endeavouring  to  mount,  but  the  stone 
hangs  at  the  heel.  They  assay,  but  cannot  rise  to 
that  height  that  others  do,  who  are  got  up  by  their 
labouring  faith  into  the  upper  region,  and  there  dis- 
play their  wings,  and  sing  in.  the  sun  beams.  But 
though  they  cannot  reach  this  height,  yet  they  have 
no  satisfaction  in  duties,  w^herein  there  is  no  inter- 
course betwixt  God  and  their  souls. 

That  which  contents  another  will  not  content  "a 
christian.  If  the  king  be  absent,  men  will  bow  to 
the  empty  chair;  but  if  God  he  absent,  an  empty 
duty  gives  no  satisfaction  to  a  gracious  spirit.  The 
poorest  christian  is  found  panting  after  God  by  sin- 
cere desires,  and  labouring  to  bring  that  dead  and 
vain  heart  near  to  God  in  duty,  though,  alas  !  it  is 
many  times  but  the  rolling  of  the  returning  stone 

*  It  is  a  sweet  hour,  and  'tis  but  an  hour ;  a  thing  of  short 
continuance.     The  rehsla  of  it  is  exceeding  sweet,  but  it  is  Jied 
often  that  Christians  taste  it.     Bernard. 
R2 


xiOO  The  Touchstone  of  Sincerit'if. 

against  the  hill ;  yet  he  never  expects  advantage  by 
that  duty  wherein  the  spirit  of  God  is  not.  Nor 
doth  he  expect  the  Spirit  of  God  should  be  where 
hts  own  spirit  is  not. 

6.  Assiduity  and  constancy,  in  the  duties  of  re- 
ligion, make  a  notable  discovery  of  the  soundness 
or  rottenness  of  men's  hearts.  The  hypocrite  may 
«hew  some  zeal  and  forwardness  in  duties  for  k 
time,  but  he  will  jade  and  give  out  at  length.  Job 
■xxvii.  10.  *  Will  he  delight  himself  in  the  Almigh- 
ty ?  Will  he  always  call  upon  God?'  No,  he  will 
not  If  his  motions  in  religion  were  natural,  they 
would  be  constant ;  but  they  are  artificial,  and  he 
is  moved  by  external  inducements,  and  so  must 
needs  be  off  and  on.  He  prays  himself  w^eary  of 
praying,  and  hears  himself  weary  of  hearing.  His 
heart  is  not  delighted  in  his  duties,  and  therefore 
his  duties  must  needs  grow  stale  and  dry  to  him 
after  a  while.  There  be  three  seasons,  in  which 
the  zeal  of  an  hypocrite  may  be  inflamed  in  duties. 

First,  When  some  imminent  danger  threatens 
!iim;  some  severe  rod  of  God  is  shaken  over  him. 

"  When  he  slew  them,  then  they  sought  him  and 
returned  and  enquired  early  after  God.''  Psal^i 
Ixxviii.  34.  0  the  goodly  words  they  give,  the 
fair  promises  they  make  !  and  yet  all  the  while 
they  do  but  flatter  him  icith  their  lips,  and  lie 
luito  him  ivith  their  tongues  ;  ver.  36,  37.  For 
let  but  that  danger  pass  over,  and  the  heavens  clear 
up  again,  and  he  will  restrain  prayer,  and  return  to 
his  old  course  again. 

Secondly,  When  the  times  countenance  and  fa- 
vour religion,  0  what  a  zeal  w\\\  he  have  for  God  f 
So  in  the  stoney  ground,  Mutth.  xiii.  5,  the  seed 
sprung  up  and  flourished  'till  the  sun  of  persecution 
-arose,  and  tlien  it  faded  away,  for  it  had  no  depth 
of  earth ;  no  deep,  solid,  inward  w^ork,  or  princi- 
ple of  grace  to  maintain  it. 


The  Touchstone  of  Sincerity,  201 

Thirdly,  When  self-ends  and  designs  are  accom 
modated,  and  promoted  by  these  things.  This  was 
the  case  of  Jehu,  2  Kings  x.  15.  Come  see  my 
zeal!  For  what  ?  For  a  base  self-interest;  not  for 
God.  How  ferv'ently  will  some  men  pray,  preach, 
and  profess,  whilst  they  sensibly  feel  the  incomes 
and  profits  of  these  duties  to  their  flesh ;  whilst 
they  are  admired  and  applauded  ! 

These  external  incentives  will  put  an  hypocrite 
into  an  hot  fit  of  zeal;  but  then,  as  it  is  with  a  man, 
whose  colours  are  raised  by  the  heat  of  the  fire, 
and  not  by  the  healthfulness  of  a  good  constitution, 
it  soon  fades  and  falls  again. 

But,  blessed  be  God,  it  is  not  so  with  all.  The 
Tnan  whose  heart  is  upright  with  his  God,  will 
keep  judgment,  and  do  righteousness  at  all  times  ^ 
Psalm  cvi.  3.  Whether  dangers  threaten  or  no  ; 
whether  the  times  favour  religion  or  know  ;  wheth- 
er his  earthly  interest  be  promoted  by  it  or  no  ;  he 
will  be  holy  still,  he  will  not  part  with  his  duties 
when  they  are  stript  naked  of  those  external  advan- 
tages. As  the  addition  of  these  things  to  religion 
did  not  at  first  engage  him,  so  the  substraction  of 
them,  cannot  disengage  him. 

If  his  duty  become  his  reproach,  yet  Moses  will 
not  forsake  it,  Heb.  xi.  26.  If  he  lose  his  com- 
pany, and  be  left  alone,  yet  Paul  will  not  flinch 
from  his  duty,  2  Tim.  iv.  16.  If  hazard  surround 
duty  on  every  side,  y^i  Daniel  will  not  quit  it, 
Dan.  vi.  10,  for  they  considered  these  things  at 
iirst,  and  counted  the  cost.  They  still  find  religion 
is  rich  enough  to  pay  the  cost  of  all  that  they  can 
lose,  or  suffer  for  its  sake;  yea,  and  that  with  an 
hundred-fold  reward  now  in  this  life.  They  nevep 
had  any  other  design  in  engaging  in  religious  du- 
ties, but  to  help  them  to  heaven  ;  and  if  they  re- 
cover heaven  at  lasf ,  whether  the  way  to  it  prove- 
better  or  worse,  they  have  their  design  and  ends-. 


5202  rhe  Touchstone  oj  Sincerity. 

Therefore  they  will  be  stedfast,  always  abounding 
in  the  loork  of  the  Lord,  as  knowing  their  labour 
is  not  vain  in  the  Lord,  1  Cor.  xv.  end. 

6.  The  humility  and  self-denial  of  our  hearts  in 
duties  will  try  what  they  are  for  their  integrity  and 
sincerity  towards  God.  Doth  a  man  boast  his  own 
excellencies  in  prayer,  as  the  pharisee  did,  Luke 
xviij.  10,  11,  "  God,  I  thank  thee  I  am  not  as  othep 
men  !"  Which  he  speaks  not  in  an  humble  acknow- 
ledgment of  the  grace  of  God,  which  distinguish- 
es man  from  man,  but  in  a  proud  ostentation  of  his 
own  excellencies ;  doth  a  man  make  his  duties  his- 
saviours,  and  trust  to  them  in  a  vain  confidence  of 
their  worth  and  dignity  :  Luhe  xviii.  9.  Surely 
his  heart,  ivhich  is  thus  lifted  up  tvithin  him,  is 
not  upright,  Hab.  ii.  4.  But  if  the  heart  be  upn 
right  indeed,  it  will  express  its  humility,  especially 
in  its  duties,  wherein  it  approaches  the  great  and 
holy  God. 

First,  It  will  manifest  its  humility,  in  those  aw- 
ful and  reverential  apprehensions  it  hath  of  God,  as 
Abraham  did.  Gen.  xviii.  27.  '  And  now  I  that 
•am  but  dust  and  ashes  (saith  he)  have  taken  upon 
me  to  speak  unto  God.'  The  humility  of  Abraham's 
spirit  is,  in  some  measure,  to  be  found  in  all  x\bra- 
ham's  children. 

Secondly,  In  those  low"  and  vile  thoughts,  they 
have  of  themselves  and  their  religious  performan- 
ces. Thus  that  poor  penitent,  Luke  vii,  38,  stood 
behind  Christ  weeping.  Yet  the  dogs  eat  the 
crumbs,  ^'[nih  another,  Mark  vii.  28.  lam  more 
brutish  than  any  man,  saith  a  third,  Prov.  xxx. 
7.  /  abhor  myself  in  dust  and  ashes,  saith  a 
fourth.  Job  xlii.  6,  and  as  little  esteem  they  have 
for  their  performances,  Isa.  Ixiv.  6.  Jill  our 
righteousness  are  as  filthy  rags.  I  deny  not  but 
there  is  pride  and  vanity  in  the  most  upright  ones; 
but  what  place  soever  it  finds  in  their  converses 


The  Touchstone  of  Sincerity.  203 

with  men,  it  finds  little  room  in  their  converses 
with  God ;  or  if  it  doth,  they  loathe  it,  and  them- 
selves for  it. 

Thirdly,  But  especially  their  humility  in  duty 
is  discovered  in  renouncing  all  their  duties  in  point 
of  dependence,  and  relying  entirely  upon  Christ 
for  righteousness  and  acceptance.  They  have  spe- 
cial regard  to  duties  in  point  of  obedience,  but 
none  at  all  in  point  of  reliance. 

7.  The  communion  and  intercourse  which  is  be- 
twixt God  and  men  in  duties,  specially  discovers 
what  their  persons  and  graces  are.  And  it  must 
needs  do  so,  because  what  communion  soever  the 
hypocrite  hath  wnth  duties,  or  with  saints  in  duties, 
to  be  sure  he  hath  none  with  God. 

None  can  come  nigh  to  God  in  duty,  but  those 
that  are  made  nigh  by  reconciliation.  All  special 
communion  with  Christ  is  founded  in  real  union 
with  Christ ;  but  the  wicked  are  estraiiged  from 
the  womh,  Psahn  Iviii.  3. 

But  now  there  is  real  communion  betwixt  God 
and  his  people,  in  duties.  Truly  our  fellowship^ 
our  communion,  is  ivith  the  Father  and  Son,  1 
John  i.  3.  God  pours  forth  of  his  Spirit  upon  them, 
and  they  pour  forth  'heir  hearts  to  God.  It  is  sensi- 
bly manifested  to  them  when  the  Lord  comes  nigh 
to  their  souls  in  duty,  and  as  sensible  they  are  of  his- 
retreats  and  withdrawmentsfrom  their  souls,  Cant. 
iii.  1,  4.  They  that  never  felt  any  thing  of  this  na- 
ture, may  call  it  a  fancy,  but  the  Lord's  people  are 
abundantly  satisfied  of  the  reality  thereof. 

Their  very  countenance  is  altered  by  it,  1  Sam. 
i.  18.  The  sad  and  cloudy  countenance  of  Hannah 
cleared  up,  as  soon  as  she  knew  she  had  audience 
and  acceptance  with  her  God.  I  know  all  commu- 
nion with  God  doth  not  consist  in  jovs  and  com- 
forts; there  is  a  real  communion  with  God  in  the 
mortifying  and  humbling  influences  of  his  spirit 


204  The  Touchstone  of  Siiiceriiy. 

Upon  men,  as  in  the  cheering  and  refreshing  influ- 
ences thereof.  I  know  also  there  is  a  great  diver- 
sity in  the  degrees  and  measures  thereof.  It  is  not 
alike  in  all  christians,  nor  with  the  same  christian 
at  all  times.  But  that  real  christians  have  true  and 
real  communion  with  Gcd  in  their  duties,  is  a  truth 
as  manifest  in  the  spiritual  sense  and  experience  of 
the  saints,  as  their  communion  is  with  one  an- 
other. 

8.  Growth  and  improvement  of  grace  in  duties, 
constitutes  another  great  difference  between  the 
sound  and  the  unsound  heart.  All  the  duties  in  the 
world  will  never  make  an  hypocrite  more  holy, 
humble,  or  heavenly  than  he  is ;  but  will,  like  the 
watering  of  a  dry  stick,  sooner  rot  it,  than  nuke  it 
flourishing  and  fruitful.  What  was  Judas  the  bet- 
ter for  all  those  heavenly  sermons,  prayers,  and  dis- 
courses of  Christ  which  he  heard  ?  And  what  will 
thy  soul  be  the  better,  for  all  the  duties  thou  per- 
formest  weekly  and  daily,  if  thy  heart  be  unsound  ? 
It  is  plain  from  Job  xv.  4,  there  must  be  an  im- 
plantation into  Christ,  before  there  can  be  an  im- 
provement in  fruitful  obedience.  And  it  is  as  plain 
from  1  John  ii.  14,  that  the  virtues  of  ordinances 
must  remain  ;  the  efficacy  and  power  that  we 
sometimes  feel  under  them,  must  abide  and  remain 
in  the  heart  affejnvards  ;  or  we  cannot  grow,  and 
be  made  fruitful  by  them. 

But  the  false  professor  is  neither  rooted  in  Christ 
by  union  wnth  him,  nor  doth,  nor  can  retain  the 
virtue  of  ordinances  within  him.  He  is  like  one 
that  views  his  face  in  a  glass,  and  quickly  forgets 
what  manner  of  man  he  was.  His  head  indeed 
may  grow,  his  knowledge  may  increase,  but  he 
hath  a  dead  and  withered  heart. 

But  as  the  saints  have  real  communion  with  God 
in  duties,  so  they  do  make  improvements  answera- 
ble thereunto.      There  is  certainly  a  ripening  oi 


The  Touchstone  of  Sincerity.  205 

their  graces  that  way  ;  a  changing  or  gradual  trans- 
formation  from  glory  to  glory  ;  a  springing  up  to 
the  full  stature  of  the  man  in  Christ.  "  They  that 
are  planted  in  the  house  of  the  Lord,  shall  flourish 
in  the  courts  of  our  God,'^  Psal.  xcii.  13,  14.  i 
Pet  ii.  2.  They  grow  more  and  more  judicious,  ex- 
perienced, humble,  mortified,  and  heavenly,  by  con- 
versing with  the  Lord  so  frequently  in  his  ap- 
pointments. 

There  is.  I  confess,  a  more  discernible  growth 
and  ripening  in  some  christians,  than  in  others.— 
The  faith  of  some  grows  exceedingly,  2  Thess.  i. 
3,  others  more  slowly,  Heb.  v.  12,  but  yet  there 

are  improvements  of  grace  in  all   upright  ones. 

Habits  are  more  deeply  rooted,  or  fruits  of  obedi- 
ence more  increased. 

If  any  upright  soul  be  stumbled  at  this,  as  not 
being  able  to  discern  the  increase  of  his  graces, 
after  all  his  duties;  let  such  consider,  the  growth 
of  grace  is  discerned  as  the  growth  of  plants  is> 
which  we  perceive  rather  to  have  grown,  than  to 
grow.  Compare  time  past  and  present,  and  you 
may  see  it.  But  usually  our  eager  desires  after 
more,  make  us  overlook  what  we  have  as  nothing. 

9.  The  assistances  and  influences  of  the  Spiritin 
duties,  shews  us  what  we  are.    No  vital,  sanctifying 

influences  can  fall  upon  carnal  hearts,   in  duties. 

The  Spirit  helps  not  their  infirmities,  ?ior  makes 
iiiter cession  for  them  with  groanings  which  can- 
not be  uttered;  as  he  doth  for  his  own  people, 
Rom.  viii,  26,  27.  They  have  his  assistances  in  the 
way  of  common  gijfs.  but  not  in  the  way  of  special 
grace.  He  may  enable  them  to  preach  judicious- 
ly, not  experimentally  ;  to  pray  orderly  and  neat- 
ly, not  feehngly,  believingly,  and  broken-hearted- 
ly  ;  "  For  as  many  as  are  led  by  the  Spirit  of  God, 
they  are  the  sons  of  God,"  Pom.  14,  viii.  He  nev- 
er so  assists,  but  where  he  has  first  sanctified.     Car- 


206  The  Touchstone  of  Sincerity. 

nal  men  furnish  the  materials  of  their  duties  out  of 
the  strength  of  their  parts  ;  a  strong  memory,  a 
good  invention,  are  the  fountains  whence  they 
draw. 

But  it  is  otherwise  with  souls  truly  gracious. 
They  have  ordinarily  a  threefold  assistance  from 
the  Spirit,  in  reference  to  their  duties.  , 

First,  Before  duties ;  exciting  them  to  it,  mak' 
ing  them  feel  their  need  of  it,  like  the  call  of  an 
empty  stomach.  Psalm  xxvii.  8.  'Thou  saidst, 
seek  my  face ;  my  heart  answered,  thy  face,  Lord; 
will  I  seek.' 

Secondly,  In  their  duties  ;  furnishing  both  mat- 
ter and  affection,  as  in  that  text  lately  cited,  Rom. 
viii.  26,  guiding  them  not  only  what  to  ask,  but 
how  to  ask. 

Thirdly,  After  their  duties  ;  helping  them  not 
only  to  suppress  the  pride  and  vanity  of  their  spi- 
rits, but  also  to  wait  on  God  for  the  accomplish- 
ment of  their  desires. 

Now  though  all  these  things,  wherein  the  sin- 
cerity of  our  hearts  is  tried  in  duties,  be  found  in 
great  variety,  as  to  degrees,  among  saints,  yet  they 
are  mysteries  unknown  by  experience  to  other 
men. 


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